verb

respetar

respect

Tratar a los demás con consideración y valorar sus ideas, sentimientos o derechos.

Definition & meaning

Respetar means to respect: to treat someone or something with consideration, recognize their dignity or value, or avoid violating their rights.

It can also mean to abide by or comply with a rule, boundary, or agreement, and to leave something untouched or unchanged.

Grammar & Word origin

Respetar is a regular, transitive -ar verb. It usually takes a direct object: respect someone, a rule, or a place. In the reflexive form, respetarse, it can mean to respect oneself or to respect one another, depending on context.

Its form is respet- + -ar, where -ar marks the infinitive. The verb comes from Latin respectāre, related to the idea of looking back or paying regard.

Synonyms & antonyms

considerar — to consider or take into account; it emphasizes thoughtfulness, while respetar more directly conveys regard or proper treatment.
honrar — to honor; stronger and often more formal than respetar.
obedecer — to obey; appropriate when respetar means to comply with a rule, but it stresses following instructions or authority.
despreciar — to despise or look down on; an antonym when respetar means to regard someone or something positively.
desobedecer — to disobey; an antonym when respetar means to comply with a rule or instruction.
faltar al respeto [?](vocabuo://word/faltar al respeto) — to show disrespect; a direct opposite in the sense of treating someone without due consideration.

Common phrases & collocations

respetar las reglas [?](vocabuo://word/respetar las reglas) — to follow the rules.
respetar los derechos [?](vocabuo://word/respetar los derechos) — to respect someone’s rights.
respetar los límites [?](vocabuo://word/respetar los límites) — to respect boundaries.
respetar el medio ambiente [?](vocabuo://word/respetar el medio ambiente) — to respect or protect the environment.
hacerse respetar [?](vocabuo://word/hacerse respetar) — to earn or assert respect.