repos
/ʁə.po/masculine
The English word 'rest' translates to the French noun repos.
repos refers to a state of quiet and recreation or relief from exertion. In informal contexts, you might use se poser to mean taking a break or to rest or récupérer to express resting and recuperating energy.
Meaning: relief from exertion, state of quiet and recreation (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun repos (rest) is distinct from the verb reposer (to rest or to place), even though they share a root.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the phrase se reposer un brin is used to mean resting for a short while.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb meaning 'to rest' is the reflexive form se reposer, rather than just reposer.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /ʁə.po/.
Did you know?
- In music, a 'rest' is not called repos but is instead called un silence.
- The word repos is used in the phrase mise au repos, which in technical contexts means putting a machine or a system into 'sleep mode' or standby.
- French has a specific term repos dominical, which refers specifically to the legal protection of Sunday as a day of rest.
Examples in context
- Tu t'es reposé ?Did you rest?This sentence uses the form repos to ask if someone rested.Tatoeba #5329749 by nimfeo, translation #5715808 by CardinalRed
- Repose en paix !Rest in peace!This sentence uses the form repos in the phrase 'Rest in peace!'Tatoeba #7556268 by Micsmithel, translation #6209183 by carlosalberto
- Tu peux te reposer.You can rest.This sentence uses the form repos to say one can rest.Tatoeba #2354619 by Amastan, translation #2254939 by CK
- Elle a besoin de se reposer après une longue journée de travail.She needs to rest after a long day of work.
- Après une semaine chargée, il est essentiel de prendre du repos le week-end.After a busy week, it is essential to take a rest on the weekends.
- Je me détends devant la télévision pour me reposer un peu.I relax in front of the television to rest a bit.
- Je vais me poser un instant avant de continuer à travailler.I'm going to take a break before continuing to work.
- On fait une pause et ensuite on continue.Let's take a break, and then we'll continue.
- J'ai besoin de récupérer un peu avant de sortir ce soir.I need to rest a bit before going out tonight.
- Après une longue promenade, je vais me reposer un brin avant de continuer.After a long walk, I'm going to rest for a little while before continuing.
- Je vais me détendre un moment près du lac.I'm going to take a moment to rest near the lake.
- 289 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are talking after a long hike.
- ManonJ'ai vraiment besoin de repos maintenant.I really need some rest now.
- HugoMoi aussi, mes jambes sont fatiguées.Me too, my legs are tired.
- ManonOn peut prendre un moment de repos ici ?Can we take a moment of rest here?
- HugoOui, Hugo est d'accord avec toi.Yes, Hugo agrees with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rest” translations and entries repos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
