Répéter vs. réitérer
While both répéter and réitérer can be translated as to repeat, they are not interchangeable. Répéter is the common, everyday term for repeating any action or word, whereas réitérer is a more formal and emphatic term used specifically to restate something for emphasis or confirmation.
Répéter
A1Répéter is the general and most frequently used word for to repeat. It can refer to saying something again, doing an action again, practicing or rehearsing, or an event that happens again. It is a neutral term but can sometimes imply monotony or annoyance.
Le professeur a demandé à l'élève de répéter sa phrase.
(The teacher asked the student to repeat his sentence.)
Les musiciens vont répéter tout l'après-midi pour le concert.
(The musicians are going to rehearse all afternoon for the concert.)
J'espère que tu ne vas pas répéter la même erreur.
(I hope you are not going to repeat the same mistake.)
Arrête de te répéter, tout le monde a compris la première fois.
(Stop repeating yourself, everyone understood the first time.)
L'histoire a tendance à se répéter.
(History has a tendency to repeat itself.)
Réitérer
B2Réitérer is a more formal and literary word. It means to repeat a statement, request, or declaration deliberately to give it more weight, force, or insistence. It is almost exclusively used for verbal or written communication and emphasizes the conscious act of restating something important.
Le diplomate a dû réitérer la position officielle de son pays.
(The diplomat had to reiterate his country's official position.)
Je vous réitère mes plus sincères excuses pour ce malentendu.
(I reiterate my sincerest apologies for this misunderstanding.)
Lors de la réunion, la direction a réitéré son engagement envers les employés.
(During the meeting, the management reiterated its commitment to the employees.)
Permettez-moi de réitérer mon offre de vous aider.
(Allow me to reiterate my offer to help you.)
Le syndicat a réitéré sa demande d'une augmentation de salaire.
(The union reiterated its demand for a wage increase.)
Summary
In essence, use répéter for any general or common repetition of words, actions, or events. It is the go-to word in most daily situations. Reserve réitérer for formal contexts when you need to consciously and forcefully restate a declaration, an offer, a request, or a commitment to emphasize its importance. Think of répéter as to do or say again, and réitérer as to formally state again.