recite
word
/ɹəˈsaɪt/
ri-SYT
/ɹɪsˈaɪt/
ri-SYT
Definition
To say something aloud from memory, such as a poem, speech, or list. It can also mean reading something out loud formally.
Usage & Nuances
Usually formal or academic; common with poems, prayers, speeches. 'Recite' often implies memorization, while 'read aloud' may use the text. Typical collocations: 'recite a poem,' 'recite from memory.' Rare in casual conversation.
Spanish: recitar - recapitular (de memoria)Portuguese (BR): recitar - repetir de corPortuguese (PT): recitar - repetir de corChinese (Simplified): 背诵 - 朗诵Chinese (Traditional): 背誦 - 朗誦Hindi: सुनाना - कंठस्थ बोलनाArabic: يُلقي - يتلوBengali: পাঠ করা - আবৃত্তি করাRussian: декламировать - читать наизусть - рассказывать наизустьJapanese: 暗唱する - 朗読するVietnamese: đọc thuộc lòng - ngâm (thơ)Korean: 암송하다 - 낭송하다Turkish: ezberden okumak - ezbere söylemekUrdu: ترنم کرنا - زبانی سنانا - یاد سے سناناIndonesian: membacakan - melafalkan - mengucapkan dari hafalan
Example Sentences
The children recited their lines for the play.
basic
Please recite your part a little louder so everyone can hear.
natural
When nervous, I sometimes forget how to recite my speech smoothly.
natural
Can you recite the alphabet backwards?
basic
She had to recite a poem in class.
basic
He can recite all the capitals in the world without looking.
natural