Spanish word

recuperar

Pronunciation

IPA/rekupeˈɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbget back

Example

Necesito recuperar mi teléfono que perdí ayer.

I need to get my phone back that I lost yesterday.

Illustration for recuperar (get back)

More examples

Después de la operación, tiene que recuperar la salud poco a poco.

After the operation, he has to regain his health little by little.

Core concept

A person taking back a lost wallet.

Common phrases

  • recuperar la salud

    regain health

  • recuperar la confianza

    regain confidence

  • recuperar los datos

    retrieve data

  • recuperar el aliento

    catch one's breath

Similar words

recobrar: Regains an inner state, emotion, or ability that had been lost.
recuperarse: Regains health or physical strength after illness or injury.
retomar: Resumes a task, activity, or conversation after an interruption.

Definition in Spanish

Conseguir otra vez algo perdido o restaurar un estado anterior, como posesión, control, salud o información.

Word origin

Derives from Latin recuperare (re- 'again' + capere 'to take'), literally 'take again', and it names regaining possession, control, health, or information.

Usage tips

  • Recuperar is transitive for things or control (Lo recuperé) while recuperarse is reflexive for regaining health or function (Se recuperó), so pronouns indicate who regains what.

Other meanings

  • recoververb
  • reclaimverb

Opposites

Related words

  • recuperaciónrecoverynoun
  • recuperablerecoverableadjective
  • recuperadorecoveredadjective

Word lists with this word