重复

When you repeat something, you are essentially doing it again. Think of it like watching your favorite movie for the second time; you are experiencing the same story twice.

In a classroom, a teacher might ask you to repeat a sentence to practice your pronunciation. It is a very common action in our daily lives, whether we are repeating a task at work or repeating a funny joke to a friend.

Understanding this word is essential because it describes the cycle of learning. We often repeat concepts until they become second nature. It is a versatile verb used in almost every context imaginable, from music to science.

The word repeat comes from the Old French word repeter, which traces back to the Latin repetere. This Latin root is a combination of re- (again) and petere (to seek or attack).

Historically, it meant to 'seek again' or 'demand back.' Over centuries, the meaning shifted from the act of demanding something back to the simple act of doing or saying something a second time.

It entered the English language around the 14th century. It is fascinating how a word that once implied a legal demand for property evolved into a neutral term for simply doing something twice. It shares roots with words like petition and compete.

You can use repeat in both formal and casual settings. In casual talk, you might say, 'Can you repeat that?' when you didn't hear someone clearly.

In formal settings, like a report, you might say, 'The experiment was repeated to ensure accuracy.' Common collocations include repeat a performance, repeat a grade, or repeat a mistake.

Be careful with the register; while it is neutral, using it too often in writing can sound repetitive. Try to vary your vocabulary with synonyms like reiterate or replicate when writing formal essays.

History repeats itself: This means that past events tend to happen again. Example: 'They didn't learn from the past, and history repeated itself.'

Repeat after me: A common phrase used by teachers. Example: 'Repeat after me: the cat is on the mat.'

On repeat: Listening to a song over and over. Example: 'I have had this new song on repeat all day.'

Repeat performance: Doing something successful again. Example: 'Can the team give a repeat performance of last year's victory?'

Repeat offender: Someone who keeps breaking the law. Example: 'The judge was harsh because he was a repeat offender.'

Repeat is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle are repeated. The present participle is repeating.

Pronunciation (IPA): UK /rɪˈpiːt/, US /rɪˈpiːt/. The stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with defeat, compete, seat, meet, and treat.

It is often used as a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object: 'I repeated the instructions.' It can also be used intransitively in specific contexts, like 'The pattern repeats.'