répétition
/ʁe.pe.ti.sjɔ̃/feminine
The English word rehearsal is translated into French as répétition.
répétition refers to the practicing of a performance to test or improve it. You can also use the phrase répétition générale to mean a dress rehearsal.
Meaning: practicing of performance to test or improve it (noun)
Which one should you use?
In French, the word used for a performance rehearsal, répétition, is the same word used to express the general concept of repetition.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun. The plural form of répétition is répétitions.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁe.pe.ti.sjɔ̃/
Did you know?
- The word répétition comes from the Latin 'repetitiō', which is rooted in 'repetere', meaning 'to seek again' or 'to demand back'.
- In the context of professional music, a répétiteur is a specialized pianist who accompanies singers during répétitions to help them learn their roles.
- In French schools, a répétition can refer to the act of reciting a lesson aloud from memory to a teacher, rather than practicing a stage performance.
Examples in context
- La répétition peut être intense.Rehearsal can be intense.This sentence shows how répétition can be intense.Tatoeba #12476811 by always, translation #8241189 by Amastan
- La répétition peut être difficile.Rehearsal can be difficult.This sentence shows how répétition can be difficult.Tatoeba #12476816 by always, translation #8241190 by Amastan
- Après une pause de dix minutes, nous avons repris notre répétition.After a ten-minute break, we resumed our rehearsal.This sentence shows the use of répétition when resuming a session after a break.Tatoeba #7785764 by Aiji, translation #73375 by CK
- J'assiste à une répétition théâtrale ce soirI am attending a theater rehearsal tonight
- On se voit à la répet' demain soirSee you at the rehearsal tomorrow night
- Je vais à la répète du groupe ce soirI'm going to the band's rehearsal tonight
- La troupe de danseurs se prépare pour la grande répétition.The group of dancers is getting ready for the big rehearsal.
- Je suis en train de répéter avec le groupe.I am rehearsing with the band.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two actors are talking before a play.
- HugoÀ quelle heure commence la répétition ?What time does the rehearsal start?
- ManonLa répétition commence à quatorze heures, Hugo.The rehearsal starts at 2 p.m., Hugo.
- HugoEst-ce que Manon sera là ?Will Manon be there?
- ManonOui, elle arrive pour la répétition.Yes, she is arriving for the rehearsal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rehearsal” translations and entries répétition, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries répétition, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
