recibir
Lemma Details
Translation: to receive; to get; to accept; to welcome; to host
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'recipere', which combines 're-' (back) and 'capere' (to take), literally meaning 'to take back' or 'to recover'. This shares the same Latin root as English words like 'receipt', 'reception', and 'recipient'. The evolution from 'taking back' to 'receiving' shows how the concept of exchange developed in Romance languages.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Recibí tu carta ayer.
I received your letter yesterday.
Nos gusta recibir invitados en casa.
We like to host guests at home.
¿Has recibido mi mensaje?
Have you received my message?
El presidente recibió al embajador.
The president welcomed the ambassador.
Recibió un premio por su trabajo.
He received an award for his work.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'receipt' in English - when you get a receipt, you've 'received' something.
- The 'rec' in recibir sounds like 'wreck' - imagine someone wrecking your door to deliver a package you're receiving.
- Sounds like 'receive' with a Spanish accent.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'recibir' is often used in contexts of hospitality and social gatherings. The concept of 'recibir visitas' (receiving visitors) is important in Hispanic culture, where hosting guests properly is considered a significant social value.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'recibir' means 'to receive' something physical or abstract, 'percibir' means 'to perceive' or 'to notice' with the senses, or 'to earn' (salary).
Notes: 'Percibir' can also mean 'to earn' or 'to collect' a salary, while 'recibir' is more general for receiving anything.
Mnemonic: 'Percibir' has 'per' like 'perception', which involves sensing; 'recibir' has 'rec' like 'receipt', which involves getting something.
Explanation: 'Recibir' means to receive something, while 'concebir' means to conceive an idea or a child.
This word:
Recibió muchas felicitaciones por su éxito.
She received many congratulations for her success.
Confused word:
No puedo concebir cómo resolvieron ese problema.
I cannot conceive how they solved that problem.
Notes: Both verbs end in '-cibir' but have completely different meanings and uses.
Mnemonic: 'Concebir' contains 'con' like 'concept', which is about ideas; 'recibir' is about receiving tangible things.