Inklingo
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A person in a formal suit bowing respectfully to another person.

respetos

res-PEH-tohs

nounmB1
regards?formal greetings,respects?showing honor or admiration
Also:compliments?polite social messages

📝 In Action

Le ruego que presente mis respetos a su esposa.

B1

I ask that you give my regards to your wife.

Vine a presentar mis respetos al director.

B2

I came to pay my respects to the director.

Mis respetos por lo que has logrado.

B1

You have my respect for what you have achieved.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • saludos (greetings)
  • consideraciones (considerations/regards)

Antonyms

  • insultos (insults)
  • desplantes (slights)

Common Collocations

  • presentar los respetos – to pay one's respects
  • con todos mis respetos – with all due respect

Idioms & Expressions

  • ¡Mis respetos! – An exclamation of deep admiration, similar to 'I take my hat off to you!'

💡 Grammar Points

Using the Plural Form

While 'respeto' (singular) means the feeling of respect, the plural 'respetos' is almost always used for formal social actions, like sending greetings or visiting someone to show honor.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Respects vs. Respect

Mistake: "Saying 'Tengo muchos respetos por ti.'"

Correction: Say 'Te tengo mucho respeto.' Use the singular for the general feeling, and the plural only for formal greetings or high praise.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Letters

Ending a letter or message with 'Mis respetos' is a very polite and traditional way to show high regard for the person you are writing to.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: respetos

Question 1 of 2

What does someone mean when they say '¡Mis respetos!' after you win a race?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

respeto(respect) - noun
respetar(to respect) - verb
respetuoso(respectful) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'respetos' only used for funerals?

No! Unlike the English phrase 'pay your respects' which is often associated with funerals, the Spanish 'presentar mis respetos' can be used any time you visit a person of authority or someone you highly admire to show courtesy.

Can I use 'respetos' with friends?

It might sound a bit too formal for close friends, but you can use '¡Mis respetos!' jokingly or sincerely when a friend does something amazing.