répéter
/ʁe.pe.te/
To rehearse in French is répéter.
The verb répéter is used when you want to say 'to rehearse', such as practicing a play or a piece of music. It is the same word used in French to express the act of repeating something.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb répéter literally means 'to repeat'.
How does it change in a sentence?
répéter is a regular -er verb. However, it undergoes an accent change in certain conjugations. For example, 'I repeat' or 'I rehearse' is written as je répète.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /ʁe.pe.te/.
Did you know?
- The Latin ancestor of répéter, 'repetere', literally translates to 'to seek again' or 'to search out again'.
- While répéter is used for rehearsing a play, French speakers use the verb s'entraîner or s'exercer when 'practicing' a sport or a physical skill.
- French musicians often use the term répète as a shorthand noun for a rehearsal session, such as saying on a une répète demain instead of the full répétition.
Examples in context
- Je dois répéter.I have to rehearse.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of rehearsing with the form répéter.Tatoeba #7411751 by lbdx, translation #3410816 by CK
- Elle répète ses lignes pour la pièce de théâtre.She is rehearsing her lines for the play.
- On bosse nos chorégraphies pour le spectacle de danse.We're rehearsing our dance routines for the show.
- Nous devons répéter cette scène.We need to rehearse this scene.
Example conversation
Two actors are talking before a play.
- ManonGabriel, on doit répéter encore une fois.Gabriel, we have to rehearse one more time.
- GabrielD'accord, je suis prêt à répéter.Okay, I am ready to rehearse.
- ManonOn commence par le deuxième acte ?Shall we start with the second act?
- GabrielOui, c'est une bonne idée.Yes, that's a good idea.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry répéter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries répéter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
