How to Say "Suddenly" in Spanish

repentinamente

/repenˌtinaˈmente/

The English word 'suddenly' can be translated into Spanish as repentinamente. Wiktionary also lists súbitamente and subitáneamente.

Meaning: happening quickly and with little or no warning (adv)

Ways to say it

“suddenly” in Spanish
Spanish	IPA
repentinamente	/repenˌtinaˈmente/
súbitamente	/ˌsubitaˈmente/
subitáneamente	/subitaneamente/ (from spelling rules)

The word is used to describe something happening quickly and with little or no warning.

While repentinamente is a standard way to say suddenly, súbitamente often carries a slightly more dramatic or literary tone.

/repenˌtinaˈmente/

Avoid using subitáneamente. It is an incorrect hybrid of súbitamente and repentinamente.

The suffix -mente used in repentinamente is actually the Latin word for 'mind'. Over time, it evolved from describing a state of mind to becoming the standard way to create adverbs in Spanish.
While de repente means 'suddenly' in Spanish, in some contexts it can be used as a filler phrase similar to 'by any chance' or 'perhaps' in certain regional dialects.
The word repentinamente comes from the Latin 'repentinus', which is linked to the concept of a sudden 'leap' or 'springing' forward.

Bajé de peso repentinamente.
I've suddenly lost weight.
This sentence shows how to use repentinamente regarding weight loss.
Tatoeba #1860141 by marcelostockle, translation #19630 by CK
Tom paró en seco súbitamente.
Tom suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
This sentence shows how to use súbitamente regarding someone stopping.
Tatoeba #4375638 by pchamorro, translation #3727267 by CM
El clima cambió repentinamente.
The weather changed suddenly.
This sentence shows how to use repentinamente regarding weather changes.
Tatoeba #1815135 by marcelostockle, translation #278836 by CK
De pronto, comenzó a llover intensamente.
Suddenly, it started to rain heavily.
De pronto, se escuchó un ruido fuerte en la casa.
Suddenly, a loud noise was heard in the house.
Repentinamente, las luces se apagaron.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
El paciente mostró mejoría y repentinamente empeoró.
The patient showed improvement, and suddenly worsened.
De repente, llegó el taxi y nos fuimos.
Suddenly, the taxi arrived, and we left.
De repente, decidieron cancelar la fiesta.
All of a sudden, they decided to cancel the party.
Juan apareció de la nada en la reunión.
Juan suddenly appeared out of nowhere at the meeting.
La noticia me golpeó de la nada.
The news hit me out of nowhere.
En un abrir y cerrar de ojos, el gato desapareció.
Suddenly, the cat disappeared in the blink of an eye.
La película terminó en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.
The movie ended suddenly.
26 more sentences on Tatoeba

Elena and Javier are discussing a car accident they witnessed.

Elena

El coche giró repentinamente hacia la izquierda.
The car suddenly turned to the left.
Javier

¡Fue muy peligroso, Elena!
It was very dangerous, Elena!
Elena

Sí, no vi venir el accidente.
Yes, I didn't see the accident coming.
Javier

Menos mal que tú estás bien.
It is a good thing that you are okay.

Sources

Wiktionary, “suddenly” translations and entries repentinamente, súbitamente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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