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parafrasear means to paraphrase — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 19, 2025

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

parafrasear

verb • /[pa-ra-fra-SEAR]/

to paraphrase

Example:

Intenta parafrasear la idea original.

Try to paraphrase the original idea.

🧠 What does parafrasear mean?

The verb 'parafrasear' means to restate or rephrase a text, statement, or idea using different words, often to make the original meaning clearer or more concise. It involves expressing someone else's thoughts in one's own words while preserving the core message. This skill is essential in academic writing, critical analysis, and professional communication to demonstrate understanding and avoid plagiarism.

📚 Extra examples

  • El profesor pidió a los estudiantes que parafrasearan el poema para analizar su significado.
    The professor asked the students to paraphrase the poem to analyze its meaning.
  • Parafraseando al autor, la tecnología ha cambiado radicalmente la forma en que nos comunicamos.
    Paraphrasing the author, technology has radically changed the way we communicate.
  • Es importante parafrasear la información de las fuentes en lugar de simplemente copiarla.
    It is important to paraphrase information from sources instead of simply copying it.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'parafrasear' comes from the Greek 'paráphrasis', formed by 'para' (meaning 'beside') and 'phrásis' (meaning 'speech' or 'diction'). This etymology perfectly captures the idea of putting a new explanation 'beside' the original one.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "parafrasear"

Synonyms: reexpresar, interpretar, reexplicar, decir con otras palabras
Opposites: citar, citar textualmente, copiar, tergiversar

🔍 See more academic & exam prep words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to paraphrase' in Spanish?
The Spanish verb for 'to paraphrase' is 'parafrasear'.
How do you pronounce 'parafrasear' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is /pa-ra-fra-se-AR/. The stress falls on the final syllable 'ar'. The 'se-ar' part is pronounced as two distinct syllables.
How do you use 'parafrasear' in a sentence?
An example is: 'Tuve que parafrasear la cita porque era demasiado larga para incluirla completa.' (I had to paraphrase the quote because it was too long to include in its entirety.)
What is the English translation of 'parafrasear'?
The English translation of 'parafrasear' is 'to paraphrase'.
Does 'parafrasear' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'parafrasear' is conjugated according to the subject and tense, not gender or number. However, its past participle, 'parafraseado/a', can act as an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., 'el texto parafraseado', 'la idea parafraseada').
Is 'parafrasear' common in everyday Spanish?
It is most common in academic, professional, and formal contexts. In casual conversation, it is more likely to hear expressions like 'decir con otras palabras' (to say in other words) or 'explicar de otra manera' (to explain in another way).
Does 'parafrasear' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'parafrasear' is a technical term with a very specific meaning and does not have any common slang uses or alternative meanings.
Is 'parafrasear' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the use and meaning of 'parafrasear' are consistent throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
How do you conjugate 'parafrasear' in Spanish?
'Parafrasear' is a regular '-ar' verb. Its present tense conjugation is 'yo parafraseo, tú parafraseas, él/ella/usted parafrasea'. The preterite tense is 'yo parafraseé, tú parafraseaste, él/ella/usted parafraseó'.

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