When you want to say that you need to rest or take a break in Spanish, you use the verb reposar. It's a very practical word. For example, if you've been working hard, you might say, "Necesito reposar un poco." This means, "I need to rest a little." You can also use it for things that are resting, like dough for bread. Just remember, reposar is about taking a break or letting something settle.
When you're learning Spanish at a B1 level, you're moving beyond basic survival phrases. Understanding verbs like "reposar" helps you express more nuanced ideas.
It's similar to the English verb "to rest," but it's often used in contexts where you might take a break from work or activity. You can use it for people, but also for things like machinery needing a rest.
Knowing this verb allows you to talk about taking a break after a long day or letting something settle. It's a practical word for everyday situations.
When you're feeling tired, you might want to reposar a bit. This verb means 'to rest' or 'to take a break'. It can be used for physical rest, like taking a nap, or for a mental break from work or studies. For example, after a long walk, you might need to reposar your legs.
You can also use it to suggest someone take it easy. If a friend is stressed, you could tell them '¡Necesitas reposar!' meaning 'You need to rest!' It's a versatile verb for talking about relaxation and recuperation.
When we talk about 'reposar', we're focusing on the act of resting, often implying a more extended or complete period of rest than just 'descansar'.
Think of 'reposar' as what you do after a long day of work, or what food does when it needs to settle.
It also applies to things like dough rising, where it 'reposa' to develop.
So, while 'descansar' is a general term for resting, 'reposar' often suggests a deeper, more intentional, or even a necessary period of stillness or inactivity.
reposar in 30 Sekunden
- rest
- relax
- take a break
§ What Does "Reposar" Mean?
- Spanish Word
- reposar (verb)
- CEFR Level
- B1
- Definition
- To rest or take a break.
§ Where You'll Hear "Reposar"
You'll encounter "reposar" in various everyday situations, from talking about taking a break after a long day to describing something that needs to settle. Here's how it's used in different contexts:
At Work: When discussing taking a break during a shift, or when something needs to sit for a while, like a report before being finalized.
At School: Students might talk about needing to rest after exams, or a science experiment might require a solution to rest before observation.
In the News: You might hear it in reports about athletes needing to rest due to injury, or in discussions about economic policies needing time to take effect.
In the Kitchen: Recipes often call for dough to rest, or for a dish to settle before serving.
§ Examples of "Reposar" in Action
Let's look at some practical examples to help you understand how to use "reposar" correctly.
Después de la caminata, necesito reposar mis piernas.
After the walk, I need to rest my legs. (Here, 'reposar' implies a need for recovery after exertion.)
El pan debe reposar por una hora antes de hornearlo.
The bread must rest for an hour before baking it. (In this case, 'reposar' means to let the dough settle or rise.)
Es importante reposar bien para estar alerta mañana.
It's important to rest well to be alert tomorrow. (Again, 'reposar' emphasizes the quality and purpose of the rest.)
Deja que la carne repose diez minutos antes de cortarla.
Let the meat rest ten minutes before cutting it. (Here, it's about allowing something to settle and improve.)
El atleta necesita reposar para recuperarse de la lesión.
The athlete needs to rest to recover from the injury. ('Reposar' is used for a period of recuperation.)
§ "Reposar" vs. "Descansar"
While both "reposar" and "descansar" mean "to rest," there's a subtle difference. "Descansar" is a more general term for taking a break or relaxing. "Reposar" often implies a more intentional or necessary period of rest, especially when something needs to settle, recover, or remain undisturbed.
You'll often hear "reposar" in more formal or specific contexts where the act of resting has a clear purpose or outcome, beyond just relaxing. For instance, you wouldn't typically say "voy a reposar en el sofá" (I'm going to rest on the sofa) if you just mean to relax. In that case, "descansar" would be more appropriate.
However, if you've had a strenuous day and your body needs to recover, then "necesito reposar" (I need to rest/recover) makes perfect sense. It's about letting your body, or something else, return to a stable or optimal state.
§ Don't Confuse with 'Descansar'
Many learners mix up reposar and descansar. While both relate to resting, they aren't always interchangeable. Think of reposar as a more gentle, temporary pause or the act of something settling. Descansar is more general for taking a break or getting sleep.
- DEFINITION
- To rest (often briefly, or for something to settle).
Voy a reposar un poco antes de seguir caminando. (I'm going to rest a little before continuing to walk.)
Necesito descansar este fin de semana. (I need to rest/relax this weekend.)
§ Not for Sleep
You wouldn't typically use reposar to mean 'to sleep.' That's what dormir is for. While sleeping is a form of rest, reposar doesn't carry that specific meaning.
Voy a dormir un poco. (I'm going to sleep a little.)
§ Using it for Objects/Food
This is where reposar shines and descansar rarely fits. You can use reposar when something needs to sit, settle, or rest. This is common in cooking or when talking about objects.
- When dough needs to rise and sit.
- When a liquid needs to settle.
- When a dish needs to sit after cooking.
Deja reposar la masa por veinte minutos. (Let the dough rest for twenty minutes.)
El vino debe reposar antes de servir. (The wine should settle/rest before serving.)
§ Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive
Reposar can be used reflexively (reposarse) or non-reflexively. When referring to a person resting, you'll often see it with the reflexive pronoun.
Me voy a reposar un rato. (I'm going to rest for a while.)
When referring to an object or food, it's typically non-reflexive.
El guiso necesita reposar. (The stew needs to rest/settle.)
§ Similar words for 'reposar'
When you're learning Spanish, you'll find several words that seem to mean the same thing. This is normal in any language. The key is to understand the nuances and specific contexts where each word is best used. For 'reposar', which means 'to rest or take a break', there are a few other common verbs that express similar ideas. Let's look at them so you know when to use 'reposar' and when to pick another option.
§ Descansar vs. Reposar
The most common alternative to 'reposar' is 'descansar'. Both translate to 'to rest'. However, there's a subtle but important difference in how they're typically used.
- DEFINITION
- Descansar: This is the general verb for 'to rest' or 'to take a break'. It implies a more active, intentional act of resting, often after physical or mental exertion. You 'descansar' after work, after a long walk, or when you feel tired.
Necesito descansar un poco después de correr. (I need to rest a little after running.)
Vamos a descansar en la playa todo el día. (We are going to rest/relax on the beach all day.)
- DEFINITION
- Reposar: While it also means 'to rest', 'reposar' often suggests a more passive, gentle, or prolonged state of rest. It can refer to people, but it's also very common for objects, food, or liquids. Think of something 'settling' or 'sitting' undisturbed.
Deja reposar la masa por una hora. (Let the dough rest for an hour.)
El vino necesita reposar antes de servirlo. (The wine needs to rest before serving it.)
When talking about people, 'reposar' implies a calmer, often longer period of rest, sometimes due to illness or after significant effort, almost like convalescing. 'Descansar' is more for daily breaks or general relaxation.
El paciente debe reposar en cama. (The patient should rest in bed.)
§ Other related verbs
- Relajarse: This means 'to relax'. While resting often leads to relaxation, 'relajarse' focuses specifically on the mental and physical state of being relaxed. You can relax without necessarily needing to rest from exertion.
Me gusta relajarme escuchando música. (I like to relax listening to music.)
- Dormir: This simply means 'to sleep'. While sleep is a form of rest, 'reposar' or 'descansar' don't always imply sleeping. You can rest without sleeping.
Necesito dormir ocho horas cada noche. (I need to sleep eight hours every night.)
§ When to choose 'reposar'
Use 'reposar' when:
- You're talking about food, liquids, or other inanimate objects needing to settle or sit for a period.
- You're referring to a prolonged or gentle rest for a person, often for health reasons, or a more passive state of resting.
- You want to emphasize a period of stillness or inactivity.
Think of 'reposar' as 'to rest' with an implication of 'to settle', 'to lie still', or 'to be undisturbed'. If you're ever unsure, 'descansar' is usually a safe bet for general 'to rest' for people. However, using 'reposar' correctly will show a deeper understanding of the language.
Wichtige Grammatik
Like many -ar verbs, 'reposar' follows regular conjugations. For example, in the present tense, it is 'yo reposo' (I rest), 'tú reposas' (you rest), 'él/ella/usted reposa' (he/she/you formal rest), 'nosotros/as reposamos' (we rest), 'vosotros/as reposáis' (you all rest in Spain), and 'ellos/ellas/ustedes reposan' (they/you all rest).
Después de caminar mucho, reposo en el sofá. (After walking a lot, I rest on the sofa.)
'Reposar' can be used reflexively as 'reposarse' to emphasize that the action of resting is done to oneself. However, it's often used non-reflexively and the meaning is generally the same.
El perro se reposa bajo el árbol. (The dog rests itself under the tree.)
It can be used with prepositions like 'en' (in/on) or 'sobre' (on/over) to indicate where someone or something is resting.
Reposó su cabeza sobre la almohada. (He rested his head on the pillow.)
'Reposar' is often used to refer to food or drinks 'resting' or 'settling' to improve their flavor or texture.
Deja reposar la masa por una hora. (Let the dough rest for an hour.)
In the imperative mood, 'reposar' gives commands. For informal singular 'tú', it's 'reposa' (rest!). For formal singular 'usted', it's 'repose' (rest!).
¡Reposa un poco antes de continuar! (Rest a little before continuing!)
Beispiele nach Niveau
Voy a reposar un poco después de la caminata.
I am going to rest a little after the walk.
Future tense, 'voy a' + infinitive.
Necesito reposar antes de seguir trabajando.
I need to rest before continuing to work.
'Necesitar' (to need) + infinitive.
Ella siempre reposa en el sofá por las tardes.
She always rests on the sofa in the afternoons.
Present tense, 'siempre' (always) indicates a habitual action.
Después de comer, me gusta reposar un rato.
After eating, I like to rest for a while.
'Después de' (after) + infinitive or noun. 'Gustar' (to like).
¿Quieres reposar aquí en el parque?
Do you want to rest here in the park?
'Querer' (to want) + infinitive. Question formation.
Él reposó sus brazos sobre la mesa.
He rested his arms on the table.
Past tense (preterite) of 'reposar'. Used with a direct object.
Vamos a reposar bajo la sombra del árbol.
Let's rest under the shade of the tree.
'Vamos a' (let's go/let's) + infinitive. 'Bajo' (under).
Reposa un poco, te ves cansado.
Rest a little, you look tired.
Imperative (command) form for 'tú'. 'Verse' (to look, to seem).
Después de caminar tanto, necesitamos reposar un poco.
After walking so much, we need to rest a bit.
Infinitive after 'necesitar'.
Me gusta reposar en el sofá después de trabajar.
I like to rest on the sofa after working.
Reflexive pronoun 'me' indicating the action is done to oneself.
Deja reposar la masa por treinta minutos.
Let the dough rest for thirty minutes.
Imperative 'deja' followed by an infinitive.
Los atletas reposan antes de la competición.
The athletes rest before the competition.
Present tense, 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' form.
Voy a reposar mis pies un rato.
I'm going to rest my feet for a while.
Informal future with 'ir a'.
Es importante reposar bien para tener energía.
It's important to rest well to have energy.
Impersonal 'es importante' followed by an infinitive.
El médico le dijo que debía reposar en casa.
The doctor told him that he should rest at home.
Conditional 'debía' for obligation.
Después del almuerzo, me gusta reposar unos diez minutos.
After lunch, I like to rest for about ten minutes.
Present tense, 'yo' form.
Después de un largo día de trabajo, necesito reposar un poco.
After a long day of work, I need to rest a little.
Here, 'reposar' is used intransitively, meaning 'to rest' or 'to take a break'.
Es importante reposar adecuadamente para recuperar energías.
It's important to rest adequately to recover energy.
The infinitive 'reposar' follows the verb 'es importante' (it is important).
El médico le recomendó reposar en cama por unos días.
The doctor recommended him to rest in bed for a few days.
'Reposar en cama' is a common phrase meaning 'to rest in bed'.
Deja que la masa repose durante una hora antes de hornear.
Let the dough rest for an hour before baking.
In this context, 'reposar' means 'to let something sit or settle'.
Me gusta reposar en el sofá mientras leo un libro.
I like to rest on the sofa while I read a book.
The reflexive pronoun 'me' is not used here because 'reposar' is not typically reflexive in this sense.
Debes reposar el ojo después de la cirugía.
You should rest your eye after the surgery.
'Reposar el ojo' means 'to rest the eye'.
Quiero ir a la playa para reposar y olvidarme de todo.
I want to go to the beach to rest and forget about everything.
The infinitive 'reposar' is used after the preposition 'para' (to/in order to).
Los atletas necesitan reposar bien antes de la competición.
Athletes need to rest well before the competition.
'Reposar bien' means 'to rest well'.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Necesito reposar un poco.
I need to rest a bit.
Deberías reposar después de la caminata.
You should rest after the walk.
¿Puedes reposar los ojos un momento?
Can you rest your eyes for a moment?
Es bueno reposar el cuerpo de vez en cuando.
It's good to rest your body from time to time.
Voy a reposar las piernas en el sofá.
I'm going to rest my legs on the sofa.
El médico le dijo que debía reposar.
The doctor told him he should rest.
Me gusta reposar en la playa.
I like to rest on the beach.
Después de tanto trabajo, hay que reposar.
After so much work, you have to rest.
Si te sientes cansado, reposa.
If you feel tired, rest.
Vamos a reposar un rato antes de continuar.
We are going to rest for a while before continuing.
Grammatikmuster
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"reposar en los laureles"
To rest on one's laurels (to be complacent after success).
Después de ganar el campeonato, no podemos reposar en los laureles; tenemos que seguir entrenando.
neutral"dejar reposar"
To let something rest/sit (often used in cooking or for letting an idea settle).
Deja reposar la masa por treinta minutos antes de hornearla.
neutral"reposar la mirada en algo/alguien"
To rest one's gaze on something/someone.
Ella reposó su mirada en el cuadro como si buscara un secreto.
neutral"reposar el caso"
To let a legal case rest/cool down (rarely used, more common in older legal texts).
El juez decidió reposar el caso por unos días antes de tomar una decisión.
formal"estar en reposo"
To be at rest/inactive.
El volcán ha estado en reposo durante décadas.
neutral"guardar reposo"
To rest (often for medical reasons, like 'bed rest').
El médico me dijo que debo guardar reposo absoluto por dos días.
neutral"reposar la comida"
To let food settle (after eating, to aid digestion).
Después de una comida tan grande, necesito reposar la comida un poco antes de salir.
neutral"reposar la mente"
To rest one's mind.
Necesito un fin de semana tranquilo para reposar la mente del estrés del trabajo.
neutral"reposar el cuerpo"
To rest one's body.
Después de la caminata, lo único que quería era reposar el cuerpo.
neutral"dar reposo"
To give rest to someone/something.
La siesta me ayuda a dar reposo a mis ojos después de tantas horas frente a la pantalla.
neutralSatzmuster
Yo necesito reposar.
Yo necesito reposar después de caminar mucho. (I need to rest after walking a lot.)
Él/Ella/Usted va a reposar.
Ella va a reposar un poco en el sofá. (She is going to rest a little on the sofa.)
Nosotros podemos reposar.
Nosotros podemos reposar aquí antes de continuar. (We can rest here before continuing.)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes deben reposar.
Ustedes deben reposar para recuperarse. (You all should rest to recover.)
Es importante que (subject) repose.
Es importante que reposemos lo suficiente cada noche. (It's important that we rest enough every night.)
(Subject) suele reposar.
Mi perro suele reposar bajo el sol. (My dog usually rests under the sun.)
Después de (action), (subject) reposa.
Después de trabajar, me gusta reposar. (After working, I like to rest.)
Voy a reposar por (duration).
Voy a reposar por una hora. (I am going to rest for an hour.)
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a 'repo' man (repossession agent) taking a much-needed 'sar' (sore) break after a long day of work.
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture yourself on a beach, feeling the warm sun, hearing the waves, and completely 'reposar'-ing. You are taking a break and feeling relaxed.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Think about your daily routine. When do you 'reposar'? Describe two different times in Spanish using 'reposar'.
Teste dich selbst 60 Fragen
Después de un largo paseo, necesito ___.
The sentence indicates a need to rest after a long walk. 'Reposar' means 'to rest'.
Ella siempre toma un momento para ___ después de hacer ejercicio.
To take a moment after exercise suggests resting, making 'reposar' the correct choice.
Es bueno ___ un poco antes de empezar una nueva actividad.
The phrase 'before starting a new activity' implies taking a short break, which is 'reposar'.
Mi abuela le gusta ___ en el sofá por la tarde.
Grandmothers often rest on the sofa in the afternoon, so 'reposar' fits the context.
Necesito ___ los ojos por unos minutos.
To rest your eyes means 'reposar los ojos'.
Después de comer, me gusta ___ un rato.
It's common to rest for a while after eating, making 'reposar' the appropriate word.
Choose the correct translation for 'reposar'.
The Spanish verb 'reposar' means to rest or to take a break.
Which sentence uses 'reposar' correctly?
'Reposar' is used when a person or animal needs to rest, not for objects.
What is another way to say 'to take a break' in Spanish?
'Descansar' is a common synonym for 'reposar', both meaning to rest or take a break.
You can use 'reposar' to say 'I rest on the chair'.
Yes, 'reposar en la silla' means 'to rest on the chair'.
'Reposar' can be used for when a car needs to rest.
'Reposar' is generally used for living beings (people, animals) or in a more figurative sense for things that need to settle, but not typically for a car resting in the mechanical sense.
If you are tired, you might need to 'reposar'.
When you are tired, 'reposar' is the appropriate verb to indicate that you need to rest.
I want to rest after walking a lot.
Do you need to rest a little?
She is going to rest at her house today.
Read this aloud:
Quiero reposar.
Focus: reposar
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Read this aloud:
Necesito reposar.
Focus: Necesito
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Read this aloud:
Él va a reposar.
Focus: reposar
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This sentence means 'I want to rest a little.' The common word order in Spanish is subject-verb-object.
This sentence means 'He needs to rest now.' The subject 'Él' comes first, followed by the verb 'necesita' and then the infinitive 'reposar' and the adverb 'ahora'.
This sentence means 'She is going to rest.' This is the 'ir a + infinitive' construction for future actions.
This sentence means 'I need to rest after working.' The verb 'reposar' comes after 'necesito' (I need to).
This sentence means 'She wants to rest on the sofa.' 'Reposar' follows 'quiere' (wants to).
This sentence means 'Let's rest for a while in the park.' The infinitive 'reposar' comes after 'a'.
Después de un largo viaje, necesitaba ___ mis pensamientos antes de tomar una decisión.
In this context, 'reposar' means to let thoughts settle or to reflect calmly, which fits the idea of needing to think clearly after a long journey. The other options don't make sense in this context.
El chef dejó ___ el guiso a fuego lento para que los sabores se mezclaran bien.
Here, 'reposar' is used in a culinary sense, meaning to let something sit or rest, often to allow flavors to meld or a dish to settle. This is a common use of the verb in cooking.
La obra de arte, una vez terminada, debe ___ en un lugar seguro antes de ser expuesta al público.
In this sentence, 'reposar' means to let something sit or settle, implying a period of inactivity or protection before an event, such as an exhibition. The other options are antonyms or unrelated actions.
El atleta decidió ___ sus músculos después de la intensa sesión de entrenamiento para evitar lesiones.
After intense physical activity, 'reposar' (to rest) is crucial for muscle recovery and injury prevention. While 'estirar' (to stretch) is also important, 'reposar' describes the overall period of inactivity needed.
Permitir que la masa de pan ___ antes de hornearla es esencial para que suba correctamente.
In baking, 'reposar' is commonly used to describe the process of letting dough rest or rise, which is a critical step for its texture and volume. The other options are different stages of bread making.
Después de tanto estrés, la mente necesita ___ para recuperar la claridad y la concentración.
When dealing with stress, the mind needs to 'reposar' (rest or settle) to regain its focus and clarity. The other options represent actions that would exacerbate stress or are unrelated.
This sentence means: After a long day of work, I need to rest.
This sentence means: The doctor advised him to rest for a few days to recover.
This sentence means: It is important to rest well before an important exam.
Después de una larga caminata, solo quería ___ en mi cama.
The context implies needing to rest after a long walk. 'Reposar' means to rest.
El médico le aconsejó ___ por unos días después de la cirugía.
After surgery, one typically needs to rest, making 'reposar' the appropriate verb.
Deja que la masa ___ durante una hora antes de hornearla.
In baking, dough 'rests' to rise. 'Reposar' is used in this context.
Necesito un momento para ___ y aclarar mis ideas antes de tomar una decisión.
To 'reposar' your ideas means to let them settle, to take a mental break.
Es fundamental ___ bien para mantener una buena salud física y mental.
General rest is crucial for health. While 'dormir' (sleep) is part of it, 'reposar' encompasses broader resting.
El vino debe ___ en barrica para desarrollar su sabor completo.
Wine is left to 'rest' or age in barrels. 'Reposar' is the correct term here.
Choose the best synonym for 'reposar' in the context of taking a physical break.
'Descansar' directly means 'to rest,' making it the closest synonym for a physical break. The other options imply activity.
Which sentence correctly uses 'reposar' to describe leaving something undisturbed?
In this context, 'reposar' means to let something sit or settle, often used for food preparation like dough. The other sentences use 'reposar' in a way that doesn't fit this nuance.
In a formal setting, if someone says 'Debe reposar su decisión,' what does it mean?
In a formal context, 'reposar una decisión' implies taking time to think carefully and reflect on it before acting.
It is grammatically correct to say 'El problema va a reposar por un tiempo' to mean the problem will be put aside for a while.
Yes, 'reposar' can be used informally to suggest a problem will be left undisturbed or unresolved for a period, implying a pause in dealing with it.
'Reposar' can be used interchangeably with 'trabajar' when discussing work-life balance.
'Reposar' means to rest, which is the opposite of 'trabajar' (to work). They are not interchangeable in the context of work-life balance.
If a doctor tells you to 'reposar la pierna,' they are instructing you to exercise it vigorously.
To 'reposar la pierna' means to rest your leg, not to exercise it vigorously. This implies keeping it still to aid recovery.
What did the muscles need after the marathon?
What was the doctor's recommendation?
What is preventing them from resting?
Read this aloud:
Después de un largo viaje, siempre me gusta reposar en un lugar tranquilo.
Focus: re-po-SAR
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Read this aloud:
Es crucial reposar adecuadamente para mantener una buena salud.
Focus: a-de-cua-da-men-te
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Read this aloud:
¿Cuánto tiempo crees que debo reposar antes de volver a mis actividades habituales?
Focus: ha-bi-tua-les
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/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Reposar is a versatile verb used to describe the act of resting or taking a break.
- rest
- relax
- take a break
Beispiel
Necesito orinar, ¿dónde está el baño?
Verwandte Inhalte
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