For “repeat after me,” use “repite después de mí” when speaking informally to one person, and “repitan después de mí” when addressing a group or using formal ustedes.
You’re in a Spanish class and the teacher says something you need to repeat back. Your brain pulls up a literal translation — “repite detrás de mí” — but that sounds odd to native speakers, like you’re standing behind them rather than copying their words. The difference between “after me” and “behind me” trips up plenty of learners.
The good news is the correct phrase is simple to learn and has just two main versions depending on who you’re talking to. This article covers both forms, common alternatives like “repite conmigo,” and the real‑life situations where you’ll hear each one.
Two Main Translations: Informal vs. Formal
Spanish uses different command forms depending on whether you’re addressing one person casually (tú) or a group or an authority figure (ustedes). The most natural translation of “repeat after me” mirrors that split.
The informal singular version is “repite después de mí.” You’d use it with a friend, a child, or anyone you’d normally call “tú.” The verb repetir is a stem‑changer (e → i), so the imperative form is “repite,” not “repetes.”
For a group or a formal setting — such as a classroom with multiple students or a conversation with a stranger — the correct form is “repitan después de mí.” This uses the ustedes imperative, which is the same for both formal and plural contexts throughout Latin America and Spain.
Why “Répete Conmigo” Isn’t Quite the Same
You’ll also hear “repite conmigo” (repeat with me), and it’s easy to assume they mean the same thing. The difference is subtle but matters in practice.
- Timing of the repetition: “Repite conmigo” suggests speaking at the same moment as the instructor, while “repite después de mí” means wait for the speaker to finish.
- Common in music and chants: “Conmigo” shows up more in sing‑along activities or group recitations where everyone says the word together.
- Classroom preference: In language‑teaching videos and apps, “repite después de mí” is the go‑to phrase because it mirrors the natural pause‑and‑repeat rhythm.
- Wedding and oath contexts: “Repite conmigo” is actually the standard for vows, where the couple speaks in unison after the officiant says each line.
- Both are correct: Neither is wrong; they just fit different situations. Native speakers understand both, but using the right one sounds more natural.
So when someone asks you to “repeat after me” in a lesson, stick with “repite después de mí.” Save “repite conmigo” for moments when you’re meant to say the words together.
Other Ways to Say “Repeat After Me”
Spanish has a few more alternatives that appear in real usage. “Repite luego de mí” is a valid but less common choice — you’ll hear it mainly in formal or written instructions. “Por favor, repite después de mí” adds politeness and is the translation for “please repeat after me.” For the formal singular (usted), some Latin American speakers say “repita después de mí” when addressing one person with respect.
The table below compares the main options at a glance. For a deeper look at conjugation and examples, the repite después de mí entry on SpanishDict walks through the tú and ustedes forms side by side.
| Phrase | Context | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Repite después de mí | One friend, child, or peer | Informal singular (tú) |
| Repitan después de mí | Group or formal situation | Formal / plural (ustedes) |
| Repite conmigo | Simultaneous repetition (vows, songs) | Informal singular |
| Repite luego de mí | Less common, slightly formal | Informal singular |
| Repita después de mí | One person, formal (usted) | Formal singular (Latin America) |
No matter which variant you choose, the core structure stays the same: the imperative command of repetir followed by “después de mí” (or “conmigo”). The verb itself is irregular only in the stem, so once you learn “repite” and “repitan,” you’ve covered the two most common forms.
When You’ll Hear These Phrases
Knowing the translation is one thing; knowing where it actually shows up in conversation makes it stick. Here are the most common settings for “repite después de mí” and its variations.
- Language classrooms and tutoring. Teachers use it constantly when drilling pronunciation: “Repite después de mí, ‘gracias’.” It’s the standard call‑and‑response cue.
- Wedding ceremonies. The officiant often says “Repite conmigo” before each vow, because the couple says the words at the same time. Example: “Repite conmigo, ‘Tomo esta mujer para ser mi novia.’”
- Oath‑taking and pledges. Citizenship ceremonies, court oaths, and scouts’ pledges all use “Repitan después de mí” because the group recites after the leader.
- Teaching children manners or phrases. Parents model polite expressions: “Repite después de mí, ‘Gracias, abuela.’” This helps kids learn by imitation.
The common thread is that the phrase appears whenever one person is modeling speech for another to copy — exactly what you’d expect from the English original.
Regional Variations Across the Spanish‑Speaking World
Spain and Latin America agree on the core forms, but a couple of regional quirks are worth noting. In many Latin American countries, the formal singular “repita después de mí” (using the usted command) is used when addressing a single person in a formal context, such as a doctor or a professor. In Spain, the same situation might use “repita” as well, but usted is less common in everyday interaction because vosotros forms are available for informal plural.
The repitan después de mí entry on Tureng lists additional alternatives like “repite luego de mí,” confirming that both Latin American and Iberian speakers recognise the plural form as standard for groups.
| Region | Phrase (group/formal) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Repitan después de mí | Also uses vosotros “repetid” in informal plural, but “repitan” still appears in formal contexts. |
| Mexico / Central America | Repitan después de mí (group) | Formal singular “repita” is common for one person; “repitan” covers all plural situations. |
| Argentina / Uruguay | Repitan después de mí (group) | Voseo replaces tú, but the imperative “repite” stays the same for informal singular; “repitan” remains unchanged. |
For most learners, sticking with “repite después de mí” (singular informal) and “repitan después de mí” (plural/formal) will serve you well in every Spanish‑speaking country.
The Bottom Line
The safest and most widely understood translation of “repeat after me” is “repite después de mí” for one person and “repitan después de mí” for groups or formal settings. “Repite conmigo” works when you’re repeating simultaneously, and “repite luego de mí” is a rarer alternative. The stem‑changing verb repetir requires the forms “repite” and “repitan” — no other conjugation fits the imperative.
If you’re learning Spanish for conversation or travel, practicing these phrases aloud with a native‑speaker tutor on a platform like iTalki or Preply can help you lock in the pronunciation and hear the natural rhythm of call‑and‑response drills tailored to your current level.