The Meaning of de repente

Keyword: De repente

Definition: “De repente” is a Spanish phrase that translates to “suddenly” or “all of a sudden” in English. It describes an action or event that occurs unexpectedly and abruptly, often without warning.

Usage: The phrase can be used in various contexts to convey the idea of something happening quickly and without prior indication. For example:

• “De repente, comenzó a llover.” (Suddenly, it started to rain.)
• “Estaba tranquilo y, de repente, escuché un ruido.” (I was calm, and all of a sudden, I heard a noise.)

Etymology: The phrase “de repente” stems from the Spanish word “repente,” which originates from Latin “repente,” meaning “suddenly” or “unexpectedly.” The prefix “de” generally indicates “of” or “from,” so together it conveys the notion of something happening suddenly.

Pronunciation:

• In IPA: /de reˈpente/
• Syllables: de - re - pen - te

Synonyms:

• De golpe (suddenly)
• De improviso (unexpectedly)
• De un tirón (in one go)

Antonyms:

• Poco a poco (little by little)
• Gradualmente (gradually)
• Lentamente (slowly)

This breakdown captures the essence of “de repente” as a commonly used phrase in Spanish, conveying suddenness and immediate change.

1. De repente, comenzó a llover y tuvimos que buscar refugio.
   Suddenly, it started to rain and we had to find shelter.

2. Estaba hablando y, de repente, se cayó la señal del teléfono.
   I was talking and suddenly the phone signal dropped.

3. De repente, todos los estudiantes se pusieron a reír.
   Suddenly, all the students started to laugh.

4. Estábamos caminando y, de repente, vimos un perro perdido.
   We were walking and suddenly we saw a lost dog.

5. De repente, la música se detuvo y todos miraron confundidos.
   Suddenly, the music stopped and everyone looked confused.

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