repos
/ʁə.po/
The English phrase "as you were" can be translated into French as repos.
In a military context, repos is the command used to tell soldiers to return to their previous position or state of readiness after being told to 'attention'.
Meaning: return to most recent command (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The word repos is pronounced /ʁə.po/ and has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The term repos can describe a specific pause in a musical score, functioning similarly to a 'rest' in English music notation.
- The word repos shares its roots with the English word 'repose', which is a much more formal and literary term used to describe a state of tranquility or sleep.
- The command repos literally translates to 'rest' in English. It is the same word used to tell someone to 'take a rest' or 'relax' in a non-military setting.
Example conversation
A military instructor is drilling recruits.
- HugoAttention !Attention!
- EmmaOui, mon capitaine !Yes, captain!
- HugoRepos.As you were.
- EmmaBien reçu.Understood.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry repos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries repos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
