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B1 verb #4,500 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

reposar

Top 4,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces reposar en 30 secondes

Explication reposar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 'reposar' as a fancy version of 'descansar' (to rest). You might not use it often yourself, but you might hear it in very simple instructions. For example, if you are learning about food, a recipe might say 'reposar 5 minutos.' It basically means 'don't touch it' and 'wait.' At this stage, focus on the fact that it means 'to rest' or 'to stay still.' You can use it when you want to sound a bit more formal than just saying 'descansar.' Imagine you are a tired traveler; you might say 'necesito reposar' to mean you need a real, long break, not just a quick seat. It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'hablar' or 'cantar.' This makes it easy to conjugate: yo reposo, tú reposas, él reposa. Don't worry too much about the deep medical or culinary meanings yet; just know it as another way to say 'rest.' Try to remember it by thinking of the English word 'repose,' which sounds very similar. If you see it in a book, just translate it as 'to rest' and you will be correct 90% of the time. It is a good word to have in your 'passive' vocabulary—words you recognize even if you don't use them every day.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'reposar' in specific contexts, especially when talking about health and daily routines. If you are telling a story about being sick, you might say, 'El médico me dijo que tenía que reposar.' This sounds much more natural than 'descansar' in a medical context. You should also recognize the phrase 'dejar reposar' in recipes. If you are learning how to give commands (the imperative), you might say '¡Deja reposar el té!' (Let the tea rest!). At this level, you should be aware that 'reposar' is more about 'stillness' than just 'taking a break.' If you are sitting on a park bench for a minute, you are 'descansando.' If you are lying in bed for three days because of the flu, you are 'reposando.' You can also use it to describe where things are. For example, 'El gato reposa en el sofá' (The cat is resting/lying on the sofa). It gives a more descriptive, peaceful image than just saying 'El gato está en el sofá.' Start trying to swap 'descansar' for 'reposar' when the rest is longer, more serious, or involves a physical object like food or an animal. This will help your Spanish sound more varied and less repetitive. It's a great 'bridge' word as you move toward intermediate fluency.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to understand the nuance between 'reposar' and its synonyms. This is the level where you move from 'general' Spanish to 'specific' Spanish. You should use 'reposar' when discussing medical recovery, culinary processes, and formal settings. You should also be comfortable with the noun form, 'el reposo.' For example, 'El médico me prescribió reposo absoluto' (The doctor prescribed absolute bed rest). You should also understand its use in describing inanimate objects. If you are talking about a painting 'reposando' against a wall, or a document 'reposando' in a drawer, you are using the word at a B1 level. This level also introduces the metaphorical use: letting an idea 'reposar' before acting on it. You should be able to use it in the past tenses (pretérito and imperfecto) to describe conditions: 'La masa reposaba mientras yo preparaba el relleno' (The dough was resting while I was preparing the filling). You should also notice the word 'reposado' as an adjective, meaning calm or settled. A 'persona reposada' is someone who is not easily agitated. Mastering 'reposar' at this level means knowing that it's not just about 'not working,' but about the 'process of stillness' that allows for improvement or healing.

At the B2 level, you should be using 'reposar' with confidence in professional and academic contexts. You might use it in a scientific report to describe a liquid settling: 'La solución debe reposar para que el sedimento se deposite en el fondo.' In literature or formal writing, you can use it to create a specific atmosphere of peace or solemnity. You should also be aware of regional differences and specific cultural rituals like 'reposar la comida' (the post-meal rest). At this level, you should also understand the word's role in the 'tequila' industry (reposado vs. añejo) as a marker of quality and time. You can use 'reposar' to describe abstract concepts, like 'la paz que reposa en su alma' (the peace that rests in his soul). You should also be able to use it in complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive: 'Es importante que dejes reposar la carne antes de cortarla' (It's important that you let the meat rest before cutting it). Your understanding should include the idea of 'reposar' as 'to reside' in a formal sense, such as documents in an archive or remains in a tomb. You are now using the word not just for its meaning, but for its 'register'—choosing it specifically to sound more precise, formal, or descriptive than the basic 'descansar.'

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At the C1 level, 'reposar' becomes a tool for stylistic precision. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to the concept of 'pause' and 'peace.' You can use it in highly formal or poetic contexts to describe the way light 'reposa' on a landscape or how a legacy 'reposa' in the hands of the next generation. You should be able to distinguish it from even more specific verbs like 'yacer' (to lie, often dead), 'posarse' (to land/settle), or 'sosegar' (to calm). In a C1 essay, you might use 'reposar' to describe the stability of a political system or the maturation of a social movement. You are comfortable with all its derived forms and can use the noun 'reposadero' (a place for resting) or 'reposacabezas' (headrest) naturally. You also understand the subtle social implications of 'reposo' in different Spanish-speaking cultures—for instance, the difference between a medical 'baja' (sick leave) and the 'reposo' required within it. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of the word’s 'weight'—it is a word of gravity, time, and stillness. You can use it to critique a piece of art, noting how the colors 'reposan' harmoniously, or in a legal context to describe where the burden of proof 'reposa.'

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'reposar' and can use it with all its subtle connotations and historical weight. You can use it in sophisticated wordplay or to evoke specific literary traditions. You understand how 'reposar' functions in the 'español áureo' (Golden Age Spanish) and how its meaning has evolved but remained anchored in the Latin 'pausare.' You can use it to describe the most abstract philosophical states—the 'reposo del ser' (the repose of being). You are aware of its use in technical fields like geology, chemistry, and law with absolute precision. In high-level discourse, you might use it to describe the 'reposo' of a dormant volcano or the 'reposo' of a silent diplomatic conflict. You understand the rhythm it brings to a sentence; because it is a longer, more resonant word than 'descansar,' you use it for cadence and emphasis. You can navigate the most formal registers, such as an official eulogy or a complex legal brief, where 'reposar' might be used to describe the location of sensitive documents or the final resting place of a national hero. Your mastery is such that you can use the word to convey peace, authority, stability, or maturation, choosing it instinctively over any other synonym to achieve the exact emotional or intellectual effect desired.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

reposar en 30 secondes

Reposar means to rest or stay still, often for a specific purpose like healing or cooking.
It is more formal and specific than the common word 'descansar'.
Commonly used in medical, culinary, and formal contexts.
It also means 'to settle' (for liquids) or 'to lie' (for remains or documents).

The Spanish verb reposar is a multifaceted term that English speakers often translate simply as 'to rest.' However, its nuances go far deeper than the common word descansar. While descansar refers to the general act of taking a break or recovering energy, reposar implies a state of stillness, settling, or deliberate inactivity required for a specific process to complete. It is the kind of rest that allows things to return to their natural state or for a transformation to occur through time and lack of movement.

Medical Recovery: In a clinical context, reposar is the standard term for 'bed rest' or the recovery period following a physical trauma. Doctors prescribe reposo (the noun form) to ensure that tissues heal without the interference of movement.

El cirujano le indicó que debe reposar durante al menos tres días para que la herida cierre bien.

Culinary Arts: Chefs use this word constantly. It refers to letting dough rise (leudar) or letting meat sit after cooking so the juices redistribute. Without this reposo, the final product loses its quality.

Furthermore, the word extends to the physical world of liquids and sediments. When you have a glass of water with sand, you let it reposar so the particles settle at the bottom. This is the physical manifestation of the verb: the triumph of gravity and time over agitation. In literature, it is used to describe where bodies lie in eternal rest, providing a solemn and respectful tone. It can also describe the state of a mind that has finally found peace after a period of intense worry or activity. Understanding reposar requires recognizing that it is not just about stopping work; it is about the active process of being still so that something else—healing, settling, or aging—can happen. It is common in formal instructions, recipes, and medical advice, making it an essential B1-level word for anyone looking to move beyond basic conversational Spanish into more specific and descriptive language.

Deja reposar el vino en la copa para que se oxigene y revele sus aromas.

Geological and Chemical Contexts: In science, reposar describes substances reaching equilibrium. A solution might need to rest to allow a precipitate to form. Geologically, it can describe layers of earth that have remained undisturbed for millennia.

Using reposar correctly involves understanding its grammatical patterns and its semantic differences from other 'rest' verbs. It is a regular -ar verb, making its conjugation straightforward, but its application varies by context. Most commonly, it is used as an intransitive verb (it doesn't need a direct object), but it can also appear in specific fixed constructions.

The 'Let It' Construction: When giving instructions, you will often see 'Dejar' + 'reposar'. This is the standard way to say 'Let it rest.' For example: 'Deja reposar la mezcla.' (Let the mixture rest).

Después de amasar, es fundamental dejar reposar la masa por una hora.

In medical contexts, it is often paired with temporal expressions. You don't just 'rest'; you 'rest for a period.' Common prepositions used include durante (during/for) or por (for). 'El paciente debe reposar durante una semana.' Note that you rarely use reposar with reflexive pronouns like se in the same way you might use quedarse (to stay). Reposar is the action itself, not a change of state.

Metaphorical Use: When talking about ideas or feelings, reposar suggests letting an idea mature. 'Deja reposar la idea antes de tomar una decisión' (Let the idea settle before making a decision).

Sus restos reposan en el panteón familiar desde hace décadas.

In formal writing, reposar can also mean 'to reside' or 'to lie.' For instance, a document might 'reposar' in an archive. This emphasizes that the document is not just there, but is kept in a state of preservation and stillness. This use is very common in legal and administrative Spanish. 'El expediente reposa en la oficina del juez.' This implies the file is awaiting action, sitting in its designated spot.

Comparison with 'Yacer': Yacer is more archaic and specifically means 'to lie down' (often dead). Reposar is more versatile and carries the connotation of peace, whereas yacer is purely positional.

La nieve reposaba sobre las ramas de los pinos como un manto blanco.

You will encounter reposar in very specific real-world scenarios. It is not a word you usually shout across a soccer field, but rather one you hear in the quiet moments of life—at the doctor's office, in the kitchen, or during a serious conversation about legacy and memory.

The Doctor's Office (El Consultorio): This is perhaps the most common place. Doctors will say, 'Tiene que reposar' instead of 'Tiene que descansar' when they mean strict physical stillness is required for health. It sounds more authoritative and prescriptive.

El médico me dio la baja y me dijo que debo reposar en cama una semana.

Cooking Shows and Recipes (La Cocina): If you watch 'MasterChef España' or read any Spanish cookbook, reposar is ubiquitous. It’s used for tea (letting it steep), for meat (after grilling), and for stews (which often taste better after they 'reposan' overnight).

In literature and news, reposar is the preferred word when discussing historical figures or deceased relatives. You will see it on plaques: 'Aquí reposan los restos de...' (Here lie the remains of...). It adds a layer of solemnity and respect that estar or descansar might lack in a formal epitaph. Furthermore, in the world of wine and spirits, you'll hear about 'vinos de reposo' or 'tequila reposado.' A tequila reposado is one that has 'rested' in oak barrels for at least two months, gaining color and flavor. This usage highlights the transformative power of time that is inherent in the word.

Este es un tequila reposado de excelente calidad, ideal para tomar solo.

Finally, you might hear it in the context of architecture or design. An architect might say that a building 'reposa sobre una base de granito,' meaning it sits or is supported by it. This gives a sense of weight and stability. It's not just 'on' the base; it is settled and firmly placed there. In everyday life, if you are feeling overwhelmed, a friend might suggest, 'Deja reposar tus problemas'—meaning, stop worrying about them for a moment, let the 'sediment' of your stress settle so you can see things clearly again.

While reposar is a common word, its specific nuances lead to several typical errors for English speakers. The most frequent mistake is treating it as a perfect synonym for descansar. While they overlap, they are not interchangeable in many contexts.

Mistake: Using it for a quick break: If you are at the gym and take 30 seconds between sets, you use descansar. Saying 'voy a reposar un minuto' sounds like you are going to lie down and enter a state of deep stillness, which would be weird in a gym setting.

Incorrect: Tengo cinco minutos para reposar antes de la clase.
Correct: Tengo cinco minutos para descansar antes de la clase.

Another common error is applying reposar to sleeping. While you are still when you sleep, the verb for sleeping is dormir. Reposar is a conscious or semi-conscious state of stillness, or a physical state of an object. You might reposar in bed before falling asleep, but once you are out, you are durmiendo. Confusing these can make your Spanish sound stiff or overly poetic.

Mistake: Reflexive Misuse: Learners often try to say 'me reposo.' While descansar isn't usually reflexive either (it's 'descanso'), other verbs like relajarse or quedarse are. Reposar is almost always used in its base form: 'Yo reposo,' 'Él reposó.'

In the kitchen, a common mistake is forgetting the verb dejar. In English, we say 'Let the dough rest.' In Spanish, you must say 'Deja reposar la masa.' Some learners try to use reposar as a transitive verb (e.g., 'reposar la masa'), which is technically possible in some dialects but much less common than the 'dejar' construction. Stick to 'dejar reposar' to sound more natural. Finally, be careful with the word reposado. While it means 'rested,' in the context of tequila, it is a specific legal category. Calling a person 'un hombre reposado' means he is calm and level-headed, not that he is currently taking a nap!

Don Julián es un hombre reposado que nunca pierde los estribos.

To truly master reposar, you must understand how it sits within a family of related verbs. Choosing the right one depends on the intent of the rest and the object doing the resting.

Descansar vs. Reposar: Descansar is the general 'to rest.' It focuses on the relief of fatigue. Reposar focuses on the lack of movement and the settling process. You descansas after a run; you reposas after a surgery.

Después de la caminata, vamos a descansar un poco en ese banco.

Sosegar: This means 'to calm down' or 'to appease.' It is more emotional and psychological than reposar. While reposar is physical stillness, sosegar is the calming of the spirit or nerves.

Another interesting alternative is posarse. This is specifically used for things that 'land' or 'settle' on a surface, like a bird on a branch or dust on furniture. While reposar can describe the state of being on a base, posarse describes the action of coming to rest on it. If you are talking about liquids, sedimentar is the technical term for particles settling, though reposar is more common in everyday speech. In a kitchen, leudar is specifically for dough rising, but the period in which it happens is the reposo. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the most precise word for the situation, moving from basic communication to expressive mastery.

La mariposa se posó suavemente sobre la flor.

Relajarse: This means 'to relax.' It focuses on reducing tension. You can relajarte while watching TV, but reposar implies a more serious, often horizontal or medical, stillness.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'pause' in English and 'reposar' in Spanish share the same root. While 'pause' is a brief stop, 'reposar' implies a deeper, more meaningful stillness.

Guide de prononciation

UK /re.poˈsaɾ/

US /re.poʊˈsɑr/

The stress is on the last syllable: re-po-SAR.

Rime avec

cantar hablar amar llegar pasar mirar pensar estar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' instead of a tap/trill.
Stressing the second syllable (re-PO-sar) instead of the third.
Making the 'e' sound like 'ay' (ray-po-sar).
Confusing the 's' with a 'z' sound (though in Spain 's' is distinct).
Not trilling the initial 'r' sufficiently.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English 'repose'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowing when to use it instead of 'descansar'.

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation of the initial 'r' can be tricky.

Écoute 2/5

Clear sound, often used in slow contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

descansar dormir parar cama comida

Apprends ensuite

sosegar yacer asentarse leudar madurar

Avancé

sedimentación precipitado estratigrafía convalecencia

Grammaire à connaître

Regular -ar verb conjugation

Yo reposo, tú reposas, él reposa.

Infinitive after verbs of perception/command

Le vi reposar. / Le mandé reposar.

Imperative forms for recipes

Deja reposar (tú), Deje reposar (usted).

Subjunctive for recommendations

Es mejor que reposes.

Adjective formation from past participle

Un hombre reposado.

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Exemples par niveau

Yo reposo en la cama.

I rest in the bed.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

El perro reposa mucho.

The dog rests a lot.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Necesito reposar cinco minutos.

I need to rest for five minutes.

Infinitive after 'necesito'.

El té debe reposar.

The tea must rest (steep).

Infinitive after 'debe'.

Nosotros reposamos después de comer.

We rest after eating.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Ella reposa los fines de semana.

She rests on weekends.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

El pan reposa en la mesa.

The bread is resting on the table.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

¿Quieres reposar un poco?

Do you want to rest a bit?

Infinitive in a question.

El médico me dijo que reposara dos días.

The doctor told me to rest for two days.

Imperfect subjunctive after 'dijo que'.

Deja reposar la masa antes de hornear.

Let the dough rest before baking.

Imperative 'deja' + infinitive.

Ayer reposé toda la tarde porque estaba enfermo.

Yesterday I rested all afternoon because I was sick.

Preterite tense, 1st person singular.

Mis abuelos siempre reposan la comida.

My grandparents always rest after eating.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

El paciente está reposando en su habitación.

The patient is resting in his room.

Present progressive.

No podemos entrar, el bebé está reposando.

We can't go in, the baby is resting.

Present progressive.

El vino tiene que reposar en la botella.

The wine has to rest in the bottle.

Infinitive phrase 'tiene que'.

Después del ejercicio, es bueno reposar.

After exercise, it's good to rest.

Infinitive as a subject.

El éxito de un buen guiso es dejarlo reposar.

The secret to a good stew is letting it rest.

Infinitive with direct object 'lo'.

Sus restos reposan en el cementerio central.

His remains rest in the central cemetery.

Formal usage for deceased.

He decidido dejar reposar mis ahorros en el banco.

I have decided to let my savings sit in the bank.

Metaphorical use for money.

Si dejas reposar el agua, la arena irá al fondo.

If you let the water rest, the sand will go to the bottom.

Conditional sentence.

Me gusta reposar la vista después de usar el ordenador.

I like to rest my eyes after using the computer.

Reposar + direct object (rare but used).

El edificio reposa sobre unos cimientos muy fuertes.

The building rests on very strong foundations.

Describing physical support.

Espero que esta idea repose un poco en tu mente.

I hope this idea settles a bit in your mind.

Present subjunctive.

El guerrero finalmente pudo reposar en paz.

The warrior was finally able to rest in peace.

Literary/Formal usage.

El cirujano insistió en que el reposo era obligatorio.

The surgeon insisted that rest was mandatory.

Noun form 'reposo'.

Las aguas del lago reposaban bajo la luna llena.

The lake waters were resting under the full moon.

Poetic imperfect tense.

Un buen tequila reposado debe estar en barrica meses.

A good 'reposado' tequila must be in a barrel for months.

Adjective 'reposado'.

La responsabilidad de este proyecto reposa sobre ti.

The responsibility for this project rests on you.

Metaphorical use for responsibility.

Es conveniente dejar reposar el café antes de servirlo.

It is convenient to let the coffee rest before serving it.

Impersonal 'es conveniente'.

Los documentos originales reposan en la caja fuerte.

The original documents rest (are kept) in the safe.

Formal use for storage.

Tras la tormenta, el bosque parecía reposar en calma.

After the storm, the forest seemed to rest in calm.

Infinitive after 'parecía'.

No dejes que el rencor repose en tu corazón.

Don't let resentment rest in your heart.

Negative imperative + subjunctive.

La soberanía nacional reposa en el pueblo.

National sovereignty rests with the people.

Political/Legal register.

Su mirada reposó largamente sobre el viejo retrato.

His gaze rested for a long time on the old portrait.

Literary preterite.

El estilo de la novela es pausado y reposado.

The novel's style is slow and calm.

Adjective describing style.

Debemos dejar que la situación repose antes de intervenir.

We must let the situation settle before intervening.

Metaphorical use for conflict.

La nieve reposaba virgen sobre las cumbres más altas.

The snow lay virgin upon the highest peaks.

Poetic/Descriptive.

El peso de la historia reposa en estas piedras milenarias.

The weight of history rests in these ancient stones.

Abstract metaphorical use.

La acusación reposa sobre pruebas circunstanciales.

The accusation rests on circumstantial evidence.

Legal register.

Es un hombre de carácter reposado y juicio certero.

He is a man of calm character and accurate judgment.

Describing personality.

En el silencio de la cripta reposan los monarcas.

In the silence of the crypt, the monarchs rest.

Inverted sentence structure for effect.

La verdad suele reposar en el fondo de un pozo profundo.

Truth usually rests at the bottom of a deep well.

Philosophical metaphor.

El equilibrio de la biosfera reposa en hilos muy finos.

The equilibrium of the biosphere rests on very thin threads.

Scientific/Philosophical metaphor.

Su genio reposaba bajo una apariencia de mediocridad.

His genius lay beneath an appearance of mediocrity.

Describing hidden qualities.

La luz del atardecer reposaba melancólica sobre el valle.

The evening light rested melancholically over the valley.

Personification/Poetic.

Toda la argumentación del ensayo reposa en esta premisa.

The entire argument of the essay rests on this premise.

Logical/Academic use.

Nada reposa; todo se mueve; todo vibra.

Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.

Philosophical axiom.

El destino de la humanidad reposa en nuestras manos.

The fate of humanity rests in our hands.

High-level rhetorical use.

Collocations courantes

reposo absoluto

dejar reposar

reposar la comida

reposar en paz

tequila reposado

reposar la vista

reposar sobre

tiempo de reposo

reposar en cama

carácter reposado

Phrases Courantes

En reposo

— In a state of rest or inactivity.

El motor está en reposo.

Poner en reposo

— To put something into a resting state (like a computer).

Pon el portátil en reposo.

Fase de reposo

— A period of inactivity in a cycle.

La planta entra en fase de reposo en invierno.

Sin reposo

— Without stopping or resting.

Trabajó tres días sin reposo.

Dar reposo

— To provide rest or relief.

Estas vacaciones me darán reposo.

Lugar de reposo

— A final resting place or a quiet retreat.

Este jardín es su lugar de reposo.

Masa en reposo

— Dough that is currently sitting/rising.

No toques la masa en reposo.

Estar reposado

— To be calm or settled.

El agua del estanque está reposada.

Reposo médico

— Official medical leave for rest.

Estoy con reposo médico esta semana.

Vida reposada

— A quiet, calm, and peaceful life.

Lleva una vida muy reposada en el campo.

Souvent confondu avec

reposar vs descansar

Descansar is for general tiredness; reposar is for physical stillness/settling.

reposar vs dormir

Dormir is to be unconscious; reposar is to be still (can be awake).

reposar vs parar

Parar is just to stop; reposar is to stay stopped for a purpose.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Consultar con la almohada"

— To let an idea rest overnight before deciding.

Voy a consultarlo con la almohada.

informal

"Estar como una balsa de aceite"

— To be completely still and calm (like resting oil).

El mar está como una balsa de aceite.

colloquial

"No tener reposo"

— To be very restless or hyperactive.

Ese niño no tiene reposo.

neutral

"Reposar los laureles"

— Similar to 'resting on one's laurels' (though 'dormirse' is more common).

No te reposes en tus laureles.

neutral

"Quedarse en el sitio"

— To die suddenly (to rest forever on the spot).

Le dio un infarto y se quedó en el sitio.

informal

"Tomárselo con calma"

— To take it easy/restfully.

Tómatelo con calma y reposa.

neutral

"Hacer la digestión"

— The act of resting while digesting.

No te bañes, que estás haciendo la digestión.

neutral

"Estar en el limbo"

— To be in a state of suspended animation or rest.

El proyecto está en el limbo.

colloquial

"A pierna suelta"

— To sleep or rest very deeply.

Durmió a pierna suelta.

informal

"Tener la conciencia tranquila"

— To be able to rest because you have no guilt.

Puedo reposar tranquilo porque tengo la conciencia limpia.

neutral

Facile à confondre

reposar vs repasar

Sounds very similar.

Repasar means to review or go over something (like notes). Reposar means to rest.

Debo repasar para el examen, pero primero voy a reposar.

reposar vs posar

Related root.

Posar is to pose for a photo or for a bird to land. Reposar is the state of resting.

El modelo posa mientras el artista reposa.

reposar vs reposado

Adjective form.

Can mean 'rested' but also 'calm' (personality) or 'aged' (tequila).

Es un hombre reposado que bebe tequila reposado.

reposar vs respaldar

Phonetic similarity.

Respaldar means to back up or support (an idea/person). Reposar is to rest.

Respaldo tu idea de que debemos reposar.

reposar vs reponer

Similar prefix and sound.

Reponer means to replace or to recover (reponer fuerzas). Reposar is the act of resting.

Reposo para reponer mis fuerzas.

Structures de phrases

Sujeto + reposar + tiempo

Yo reposo diez minutos.

Dejar + reposar + sustantivo

Deja reposar el café.

Sujeto + reposar + sobre + sustantivo

El gato reposa sobre la mesa.

Sustantivo + reposar + en + lugar

Los libros reposan en la estantería.

Es [adjetivo] + reposar

Es necesario reposar tras la cirugía.

Sustantivo (abstracto) + reposar + en + persona

La decisión reposa en el director.

Adverbio + reposar

La nieve reposaba plácidamente.

Estructura invertida

En sus manos reposa nuestro futuro.

Famille de mots

Noms

reposo

reposadero

reposacabezas

reposapiés

Verbes

reposar

Adjectifs

reposado

reposante

Apparenté

pausa

descanso

asiento

poso

sedimento

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in specific domains (health, food, formal writing).

Erreurs courantes

Me reposo en el sofá. → Reposo en el sofá.
Reposar is not typically a reflexive verb in this context.
La masa está descansando. → La masa está reposando.
While 'descansar' is understood, 'reposar' is the correct technical term for food.
Tengo que repasar en cama. → Tengo que reposar en cama.
Confusing 'repasar' (review) with 'reposar' (rest).
El muerto descansa aquí. → Aquí reposan los restos.
In formal epitaphs, 'reposar' is much more common and respectful.
Reposé por 5 minutos entre ejercicios. → Descansé por 5 minutos entre ejercicios.
Reposar implies a longer, deeper stillness than a gym break.

Astuces

Kitchen Mastery

Always use 'dejar reposar' when following Spanish recipes. It's the secret to making your instructions sound authentic.

At the Doctor

If a doctor says 'reposo', take it seriously. It usually means no exercise and lots of lying down, not just 'taking it easy'.

English Connection

Link 'reposar' to 'repose'. This helps you remember it's a 'heavier', more significant kind of rest.

Wine and Spirits

Look for the word 'reposado' on bottles. It tells you the product has aged and mellowed, just like the verb implies.

Regular Verb

Don't stress the conjugation! It's a perfectly regular -ar verb. Focus on the context instead.

Eye Health

Use 'reposar la vista' when talking about digital fatigue. It's a very common modern phrase.

Post-Lunch

Mention 'reposar la comida' to your Spanish friends after a big meal. They will appreciate your cultural knowledge.

Reading Clue

In books, 'reposar' often describes landscapes. It suggests a deep, ancient stillness.

Not for Naps

If you're just taking a 20-minute nap, say 'echar una siesta' or 'descansar'. 'Reposar' is a bit too 'still' for a quick snooze.

The 'S' for Still

The 's' in repoSar stands for Stillness. That's the core of the word.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'RE-POSing' model. They have to stay perfectly still (reposar) to be painted. It's about 'posing' again and again in 'repose'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a bowl of dough covered with a cloth on a sunny counter. It's not doing 'nothing'; it's 'reposando' to become bread.

Word Web

descansar dormir parar calmar asentar yacer quedar estar

Défi

Write three sentences: one about food, one about a sick person, and one about a calm lake, all using 'reposar'.

Origine du mot

From the Late Latin 'repausare', composed of the prefix 're-' (again/intensive) and 'pausare' (to pause or stop). It entered Spanish in the 13th century.

Sens originel : To stop or pause for a long period.

Romance (Latin)

Contexte culturel

When using 'reposar' for the deceased, it is very respectful. Avoid using 'dormir' or just 'estar' in funeral contexts to remain sensitive.

In English, we use 'rest' for everything. We 'rest' our eyes, 'rest' the dough, and 'rest' after work. Spanish is more surgical, using 'reposar' for the physical/chemical/medical stillness.

Tequila Reposado (Mexican spirit category) Q.E.P.D. (Que En Paz Descanse/Repose - standard epitaph) Vinos de reposo (Wines aged in cellars)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Medical Advice

Reposo absoluto
Reposar en cama
Necesita reposo
Mandar a reposar

Cooking

Deja reposar la masa
Reposar el guiso
Tiempo de reposo
Dejar reposar el té

Funerary

En paz repose
Aquí reposan los restos
Lugar de reposo
Descanso y reposo

Daily Life

Reposar la comida
Reposar la vista
Estar reposado
Un momento de reposo

Physics/Chemistry

En estado de reposo
Dejar reposar la mezcla
Cuerpo en reposo
Posición de reposo

Amorces de conversation

"¿Sueles reposar la comida después de almorzar?"

"¿Cuánto tiempo dejas reposar la masa de la pizza?"

"¿Qué haces para reposar la vista después de trabajar?"

"¿Te gusta el tequila reposado o prefieres el blanco?"

"¿Crees que es importante reposar después de un disgusto?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe un momento de tu vida en el que tuviste que reposar obligatoriamente por salud.

Escribe sobre un lugar tranquilo donde te gustaría que tus pensamientos reposaran.

¿Cuál es tu receta favorita que requiere dejar reposar los ingredientes?

Reflexiona sobre la importancia de 'reposar la comida' en la cultura hispana.

Imagina que eres un objeto antiguo que reposa en un museo. ¿Qué ves a tu alrededor?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No es común. Normalmente se dice 'reposo' o 'voy a reposar'. 'Descansar' tampoco suele ser reflexivo. Si quieres usar un reflexivo, usa 'relajarse'.

Reposar implica quietud física total, a menudo por salud o cocina. Descansar es más general, como tomar un descanso del trabajo.

Se dice 'reposo en cama' o 'reposo absoluto' si no puedes levantarte para nada.

Sí, muchísimo. Tanto para dejar que un guiso se asiente como para el descanso humano después de comer (reposar la comida).

Es más formal que 'descansar', pero se usa en el lenguaje cotidiano en contextos específicos como la cocina o el médico.

Es un tequila que ha descansado en barricas de roble entre dos meses y un año.

Sí, como 'el libro reposa en la mesa'. Da una sensación de que el objeto lleva ahí tiempo y está tranquilo.

Yo reposé, tú reposaste, él reposó, nosotros reposamos, vosotros reposasteis, ellos reposaron.

Significa cerrar los ojos o mirar a lo lejos para que los músculos oculares descansen, usualmente tras usar pantallas.

No. Yacer es mucho más formal y casi siempre se refiere a estar tumbado (a menudo muerto). Reposar es más versátil.

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