B1 verb Neutral 2 min de lectura

arrepender

/ɐ.ʁɛˈpẽ.dɛɾ/
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Overview

The Portuguese verb 'arrepender' is a reflexive verb, meaning it is always used with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se). It translates most commonly to 'to regret' in English, but can also convey the sense of 'to feel sorrow or penitence for what one has done.'

**Conjugation:**

Being a regular verb ending in -er, its conjugation follows a predictable pattern, with the added complexity of the reflexive pronoun. Let's look at some key tenses:

* Nós nos arrependemos (We regret)

  • Vós vos arrependeis (You all regret - informal, plural, mostly archaic)
  • Eles/Elas/Vocês se arrependem (They/You all regret - plural)

* Vós vos arrependestes (You all regretted)

  • Eles/Elas/Vocês se arrependeram (They/You all regretted)

* Vós vos arrependereis (You all will regret)

  • Eles/Elas/Vocês se arrependerão (They/You all will regret)

**Usage and Nuances:**

'Arrepender' is often followed by the preposition 'de' (of/from) when specifying what is being regretted. For example:

  • 'Eu me arrependo de ter dito aquilo.' (I regret having said that.)
  • 'Ela se arrepende de suas decisões passadas.' (She regrets her past decisions.)

It can also be used in a more general sense without 'de' if the context of what is regretted is clear or implied. The act of regretting itself implies a past action or inaction.

**Common Expressions and Contexts:**

  • 'Arrepender-se de algo': To regret something.

* **'Não se arrependa!'**: Don't regret it!

  • 'É tarde para se arrepender': It's too late to regret.

Understanding 'arrepender' is crucial for expressing remorse, regret, or a change of heart in Portuguese. Its reflexive nature is a key characteristic to remember for correct usage.

Ejemplos

1

Ele se arrependeu de suas palavras duras.

when someone says something they later wish they hadn't

He regretted his harsh words.

2

Não se arrependa do que você fez, apenas aprenda com isso.

encouraging someone not to dwell on past actions negatively

Don't regret what you did, just learn from it.

3

Ela se arrependeu amargamente de ter perdido a oportunidade.

when someone deeply regrets a missed chance

She bitterly regretted having missed the opportunity.

4

Se você não estudar, vai se arrepender depois.

warning about future consequences of present actions

If you don't study, you'll regret it later.

5

Arrepender-se de um erro é o primeiro passo para corrigi-lo.

a general statement about the importance of acknowledging errors

Regretting a mistake is the first step to correcting it.

Colocaciones comunes

arrepender-se de ter feito
arrepender-se amargamente
não se arrepender
fazer arrepender

Se confunde a menudo con

arrepender vs w

80+ WORDS

Patrones gramaticales

p1 p2 p3

How to Use It

Notas de uso

The verb 'arrepender' is almost exclusively used in its reflexive form, 'arrepender-se'. This emphasizes that the act of regretting or feeling sorrow is an internal experience. It is typically followed by the preposition 'de' when specifying what one regrets. For example, 'Eu me arrependo de ter dito isso' (I regret having said that). It can also be used with an infinitive, as in 'Ela se arrepende de não ter viajado mais' (She regrets not having traveled more). The degree of regret can be conveyed through adverbs like 'muito' (a lot) or 'sinceramente' (sincerely). While 'lamentar' is another verb for regretting, 'arrepender-se' often implies a deeper, more personal and emotional remorse, sometimes involving a moral dimension. It's a versatile verb that can apply to a wide range of situations, from minor missteps to significant life choices, always highlighting the individual's internal emotional response to their past actions or inactions.

Errores comunes

One common mistake is confusing 'arrepender-se' (to regret, reflexive) with 'depender' (to depend). While they share a similar ending, their meanings are distinct. Another common error is incorrect conjugation, especially with the reflexive pronoun 'se' (e.g., 'eu me arrependo' instead of 'eu arrependo'). Ensure the reflexive pronoun matches the subject. Also, sometimes learners might incorrectly use 'lamentar' as a direct substitute for all instances of 'arrepender,' but 'lamentar' is more about expressing sorrow for a situation, whereas 'arrepender' specifically implies regret for one's own actions or decisions.

Tips

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Related Words

Here are some words related to 'arrepender' that might be helpful: * **Regret (noun):** arrependimento * **Repentance (noun):** penitência * **To repent:** penitenciar-se * **Sorrow (noun):** tristeza, pesar * **To lament/to mourn:** lamentar, chorar * **To feel remorse:** sentir remorso * **Penitent (adjective):** penitente * **Remorseful (adjective):** remorso, pesaroso

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Common Mistakes and Nuances

While 'arrepender' generally means 'to regret' or 'to feel sorrow/penitence,' here are some nuances to be aware of: * **'Arrepender-se de algo'**: This is the most common construction, meaning 'to regret something.' The 'se' makes it a reflexive verb. * **'Arrepender-se de ter feito algo'**: This means 'to regret having done something.' * **Stronger than 'lamentar'**: While 'lamentar' also means 'to regret' or 'to lament,' 'arrepender' often implies a deeper sense of remorse or penitence. * **Not always about past actions**: You can 'arrepender-se' of something you are about to do, or even a decision you are making. * **Formal vs. informal**: It's a common verb in both formal and informal contexts.

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Usage Examples

To help you understand how 'arrepender' is used in context, here are a few examples: * **Eu me arrependo de ter dito aquilo.** (I regret having said that.) * **Ela se arrependeu da decisão que tomou.** (She regretted the decision she made.) * **Ele nunca se arrependeu de seus erros.** (He never regretted his mistakes.) * **Você vai se arrepender se não estudar.** (You will regret it if you don't study.) * **Nós nos arrependemos de não ter viajado mais.** (We regret not having traveled more.) * **Não se arrependa do que te faz feliz.** (Don't regret what makes you happy.) * **O criminoso se arrependeu de seus atos.** (The criminal repented his actions.) * **Eles se arrependeram amargamente da briga.** (They bitterly regretted the fight.)

Origen de la palabra

The Portuguese verb 'arrepender' traces its origins back to Vulgar Latin. It is derived from the Old Occitan word 'repentir', which itself comes from the Latin 'repaenitere'. The Latin 'paenitere' means 'to cause to repent, to regret, to be sorry'. This root is also related to 'poena', meaning 'penalty, punishment', and 'paenitentia', meaning 'penitence, repentance'. Over time, as Latin evolved into the various Romance languages, the form and meaning of this word adapted. In Old Portuguese, it appeared as 'repentir' or 'arrepentir'. The prefix 'a-' (from Latin 'ad-') was often added to verbs in Portuguese to intensify their meaning or to indicate movement towards a state, much like it does in 'achar' (to find) or 'aproximar' (to approach). The shift from 'paenitere' to 'repentir' involved a phonetic change where the 'ae' diphthong became 'e', and the suffix '-ire' was adopted, common in verbs of the third conjugation in Latin. The 'p' sound remained consistent. The semantic development of 'arrepender' has always revolved around the concept of regret, sorrow, or penitence for past actions or decisions. It implies a retrospective emotional response, often accompanied by a desire to have acted differently. This core meaning has remained remarkably stable throughout its linguistic journey from Latin to modern Portuguese. Its cognates can be found across other Romance languages, reinforcing its common Latin heritage. For instance, in Spanish, it's 'arrepentir'; in French, 'repentir'; and in Italian, 'pentirsi'. These linguistic relatives all share the same fundamental meaning of expressing regret or penitence. Therefore, 'arrepender' encapsulates a rich history of linguistic evolution, stemming from a core Latin concept of experiencing sorrow or regret for one's actions, a meaning that has persisted and been reinforced through centuries of language development.

Contexto cultural

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, 'arrepender-se' (the reflexive form of 'arrepender') carries significant weight, often intertwined with concepts of morality, personal responsibility, and emotional depth. It's not merely about acknowledging a mistake but often involves a deeper emotional process of genuine sorrow or remorse for one's actions, words, or omissions. This can manifest in religious contexts, where repentance is a key aspect of seeking forgiveness, as well as in secular life, where it relates to personal growth, reconciliation, and learning from past errors. The act of repenting can be seen as a sign of maturity and a willingness to confront one's imperfections. Expressions of regret are common in everyday conversation, from casual apologies to profound confessions of past wrongs, reflecting a culture that values introspection and emotional honesty.

Truco para recordar

To remember 'arrepender,' think of 'repent,' which sounds similar and means to feel sorrow for one's actions. Both words share the core meaning of regret.

Preguntas frecuentes

4 preguntas

In the present tense, 'arrepender' is conjugated as follows: - Eu arrependo (I regret) - Tu arrependes (You regret - informal singular) - Ele/Ela/Você arrepende (He/She/You regret - formal singular) - Nós arrependemos (We regret) - Vós arrependeis (You regret - informal plural, rarely used in modern Brazilian Portuguese) - Eles/Elas/Vocês arrependem (They/You regret - plural)

For the simple past tense (Pretérito Perfeito Simples), the conjugations are: - Eu arrependi (I regretted) - Tu arrependeste (You regretted - informal singular) - Ele/Ela/Você arrependeu (He/She/You regretted - formal singular) - Nós arrependemos (We regretted) - Vós arrependestes (You regretted - informal plural) - Eles/Elas/Vocês arrependeram (They/You regretted - plural)

Certainly! Here are some examples: - Eu me arrependo de não ter estudado mais. (I regret not having studied more.) - Ele se arrependeu de suas palavras. (He regretted his words.) - Nós nos arrependemos de ter perdido a oportunidade. (We regretted having missed the opportunity.) - Você se arrepende de alguma coisa? (Do you regret anything?) - Eles se arrependem do que fizeram. (They regret what they did.)

The gerund form of 'arrepender' is 'arrependendo,' which translates to 'regretting' or 'feeling sorrow/penitence.' The past participle is 'arrependido' (masculine singular), 'arrependida' (feminine singular), 'arrependidos' (masculine plural), and 'arrependidas' (feminine plural), meaning 'regretted' or 'repentant.' These forms are essential for constructing compound tenses and for use as adjectives, respectively.

Ponte a prueba

fill blank

Eu ___ (arrepender-se) de ter dito aquilo.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
fill blank

Ela não se ___ (arrepender-se) de suas decisões.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
fill blank

Nós nos ___ (arrepender-se) de não termos viajado.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Puntuación: /3

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