Inklingo
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respira

/ress-PEE-rah/

breathes

A simplified illustration of a figure standing outside, inhaling deeply, showing the act of breathing.

The image shows the literal meaning of "respira" (breathes).

respira(Verb (Conjugated Form))

A1regular ar

breathes

?

Present tense, he/she/it/you formal

,

breathe!

?

Informal command (tú form)

Also:

is breathing

?

Action happening now

📝 In Action

El bebé respira muy tranquilamente mientras duerme.

A1

The baby breathes very calmly while sleeping.

¡Respira hondo! Todo va a estar bien.

A1

Breathe deeply! Everything is going to be okay.

Si usted no respira bien, debe ver a un médico.

A2

If you (formal) don't breathe well, you should see a doctor.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • inhalar (to inhale)
  • exhalar (to exhale)

Antonyms

  • ahogarse (to choke/drown)

Common Collocations

  • respira profundo – breathe deeply
  • respira con dificultad – breathes with difficulty

💡 Grammar Points

Dual Role of 'Respira'

This single form is used for two important jobs: 1) Describing what 'he,' 'she,' or 'you (formal)' does right now (Present Tense), and 2) Giving an informal command to 'you' (Imperative).

Regular -AR Verb

'Respira' comes from the verb 'respirar,' which is a regular verb. This means it follows the predictable pattern of 'ar' verbs, making its conjugations easy to learn!

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Command Forms

Mistake: "Using 'respira' when giving a formal command (to Usted)."

Correction: The formal command is 'respire'. Remember: 'Respira' is for friends (tú), and 'Respire' is for professionals or elders (usted).

⭐ Usage Tips

Use with 'Usted'

When using 'respira' to mean 'you breathe,' remember it implies formal address (Usted). If you are talking to a friend, you would use 'tú respiras'.

A tired person sitting down on a bench under a tree, relaxing and pausing from activity.

This image illustrates the figurative meaning of "respira" (takes a breather or rests).

respira(Verb (Conjugated Form))

B1regular ar

takes a breather

?

Figurative: pauses or rests

,

calms down

?

Figurative: relaxes mentally

Also:

pauses

?

Figurative: takes a momentary break

📝 In Action

El jefe respira antes de tomar una decisión importante.

B1

The boss pauses (takes a moment) before making an important decision.

Después de la discusión, solo respira y deja que el problema se calme.

B2

After the argument, just take a break and let the problem cool down.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • dejar que respire – to let it breathe (give space/time)

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

In addition to the physical act, 'respira' is often used to tell someone (or describe someone) who is taking a mental or emotional pause, usually to avoid reacting rashly.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use in Conflict

If you need to cool down a tense situation, using the command '¡Respira!' is a great way to tell someone to take a beat and regain composure.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: respira

Question 1 of 2

Which English phrase best translates '¡Respira, por favor, antes de responder!'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

respiración(breathing/respiration) - noun
respiradero(air vent/breathing hole) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'respira' means 'he/she breathes' or 'breathe!'?

You can usually tell by the context and punctuation. If it's a command, it often starts the sentence, may use an exclamation mark (¡Respira!), and is directed at the person you are speaking to (tú). If it's a statement, it usually follows a subject like 'él' or 'ella'.

Is 'respirar' a stem-changing verb?

No, 'respirar' is a regular -AR verb. Its stem (respir-) never changes, which makes it easier to conjugate than many other common verbs.