Yes, repetir (to repeat) is a stem-changing verb in Spanish. It follows the e-to-i pattern, meaning the second “e” in the stem changes to an “i” in certain forms. This change happens across several tenses, but not in every conjugation, so knowing exactly where the stem shifts is key to using the verb correctly.
How the E-to-I Change Works
The infinitive repetir has two e’s in it. The one that changes is the second e, the one closest to the verb ending. In forms where the stem change applies, “repet-” becomes “repit-.” You can see this clearly in the present tense: yo repito, tú repites, él repite, ellos repiten. Notice that nosotros and vosotros keep the original stem: nosotros repetimos, vosotros repetís. That “boot pattern,” where the stem changes in every form except nosotros and vosotros, is a hallmark of stem-changing verbs in the present tense.
Which Tenses Trigger the Change
The stem change doesn’t show up everywhere. Here’s where you’ll see it and where you won’t.
Present indicative: The change hits four of the six forms (yo, tú, él/ella, ellos/ellas). Nosotros and vosotros stay regular.
Preterite: Only the third person changes. Él/ella becomes repitió and ellos/ellas becomes repitieron. The other four forms (yo repetí, tú repetiste, etc.) use the normal stem.
Present subjunctive: Every single form uses the changed stem repit-. That includes nosotros (repitamos) and vosotros (repitáis), which is different from the present indicative pattern.
Imperfect subjunctive: All forms use repit- as well. You’ll see repitiera or repitiese for yo, and the same stem carries through every subject.
Present participle (gerund): Repitiendo, not “repetiendo.” The stem change applies here too.
Past participle: No change. It’s simply repetido, following the regular -ir past participle pattern.
Imperfect, future, and conditional indicative: No stem change. These tenses use the full infinitive as their base (repetía, repetiré, repetiría), so the original spelling stays intact.
Present Tense Conjugation
- Yo: repito
- Tú: repites
- Él/ella/usted: repite
- Nosotros: repetimos
- Vosotros: repetís
- Ellos/ellas/ustedes: repiten
The nosotros and vosotros forms keeping the regular stem is the easiest way to remember the boot pattern. If you draw a line around the four changed forms in a conjugation chart, it looks like the shape of a boot.
Preterite Conjugation
- Yo: repetí
- Tú: repetiste
- Él/ella/usted: repitió
- Nosotros: repetimos
- Vosotros: repetisteis
- Ellos/ellas/ustedes: repitieron
The preterite is easy to trip up on because the stem change only appears in the third person. If you’re telling a story about what someone else repeated, you need repitió or repitieron. When talking about yourself, repetí is perfectly regular.
Other Verbs That Follow the Same Pattern
Repetir belongs to a family of -ir verbs that all share the e-to-i stem change. Once you learn the pattern for one, you can apply it to the rest. Some of the most common ones include pedir (to ask for), servir (to serve), seguir (to follow), vestirse (to get dressed), medir (to measure), elegir (to elect/choose), corregir (to correct), and decir (to say/tell). All of these change their stem vowel from e to i in the same tenses and the same forms as repetir.
Note that e-to-i verbs are always -ir verbs, never -ar or -er. This is different from e-to-ie verbs (like pensar or entender), which can belong to any conjugation group. If you see an -ir verb with an e in the last syllable of its stem, there’s a good chance it follows the same pattern as repetir.