repita por favor
/repita poɾ faboɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "please repeat" is translated into Spanish as repita por favor.
This phrase is a polite request used when you did not hear or understand what someone said and want them to say it again. In casual settings, people often use the shorter, more informal ¿Cómo? to ask someone to repeat themselves or the polite ¿Perdón? to signal that you did not hear something.
Which one should you use?
While repita por favor is the formal option, you can use repite por favor when speaking to friends, family or peers, as it uses the informal tú command.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word repita is the formal imperative (command) form of the verb repetir, which is used when addressing someone as usted.
How do you pronounce it?
/repita poɾ faboɾ/
Did you know?
- While repita por favor is a direct request, Spanish speakers often use ¿Mande? in Mexico as a polite way to ask for repetition. This expression originally comes from a military context of following orders.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, simply saying ¿Qué? to ask someone to repeat themselves can be perceived as blunt or rude, even among friends.
- If you say ¿Perdón? instead of repita por favor, you are literally asking for 'forgiveness' for not hearing, which is a common way to soften the interruption.
Examples in context
- Señor Ramírez, ¿podría explicarnos nuevamente los detalles del informe?Mr. Ramírez, could you explain the report details again?
- ¡Por supuesto! ¿Puede repetir, por favor?Of course! Can you repeat, please?
- Disculpe, señora, ¿podría repetir eso, por favor?Excuse me, ma'am, could you repeat that, please?
- ¿Puedes repetir eso, por favor? No te escuché bien con todo el ruido.Can you repeat that, please? I couldn't hear you well with all the noise.
- Disculpa, ¿me lo puedes repetir? No lo anoté.Sorry, can you repeat that to me? I didn't write it down.
- No escuché bien, repita por favor.I didn't hear well, please repeat.
- ¿Puede decir eso otra vez? Repita por favor.Can you say that again? Please repeat.
Example conversation
Alejandro is asking Sofía for a street address.
- Alejandro¿Cuál es la dirección, Sofía?What is the address, Sofía?
- SofíaEs Calle Mayor número diez.It is ten Mayor Street.
- AlejandroLo siento, repita por favor.I'm sorry, please repeat.
- SofíaDije que es Calle Mayor diez.I said it is ten Mayor Street.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
