Inklingo

respeta

reh-SPEH-tahresˈpeta

respeta means respects in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

respects

Also: honors, follows
VerbA2regular ar
A young child listening intently and politely to an elderly person speaking.
gerundrespetando
past Participlerespetado
infinitiverespetar

📝 In Action

Ella respeta mucho a sus profesores.

A2

She respects her teachers a lot.

El conductor respeta las señales de tráfico.

A2

The driver respects/follows the traffic signs.

Usted respeta la privacidad de los demás.

B1

You (formal) respect the privacy of others.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • respeta el medio ambienterespects the environment
  • respeta la leyrespects the law
  • respeta el turnowaits for one's turn

respect!

Also: show respect
VerbA2regular arinformal
A person standing still and keeping a polite distance from a delicate flower garden behind a small wooden fence.

📝 In Action

Hijo, respeta a tus mayores.

A2

Son, respect your elders.

Respeta el silencio de la biblioteca.

A2

Respect the silence of the library.

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yorespetara
respetaras
él/ella/ustedrespetara
nosotrosrespetáramos
vosotrosrespetarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesrespetaran

Present Subjunctive

yorespete
respetes
él/ella/ustedrespete
nosotrosrespetemos
vosotrosrespetéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesrespeten

Indicative

Preterite

yorespeté
respetaste
él/ella/ustedrespetó
nosotrosrespetamos
vosotrosrespetasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesrespetaron

Imperfect

yorespetaba
respetabas
él/ella/ustedrespetaba
nosotrosrespetábamos
vosotrosrespetabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesrespetaban

Present

yorespeto
respetas
él/ella/ustedrespeta
nosotrosrespetamos
vosotrosrespetáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesrespetan

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "respeta" in Spanish:

followshonorsrespectsshow respect

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: respeta

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'respeta' to mean 'She respects the law'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin 'respectare,' which literally means 'to look back at' or 'to regard.' It suggests the idea of looking at someone or something with enough attention to value it.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: respectFrench: respecter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'respeta' formal or informal?

It depends! As a statement ('he respects'), it is neutral. As a command ('Respect!'), it is informal, used with friends or family.

Does it mean the same thing as 'cumple'?

Sometimes. 'Respeta las reglas' and 'Cumple las reglas' both mean following rules, but 'respeta' implies a deeper level of consideration or honor.