Read along with the three podcasts, or open the full dictionary entry for Repentance for the definition, Arabic meaning, synonyms and example sentences.
Narrator: Today's word is "Repentance" — noun, pronounced /rɪˈpentəns/, with the stress on "pen".
Narrator: Repentance is the act of feeling sincere regret for a wrong and resolving to change.
Narrator: In plain English, repentance is more than just saying sorry — it's a genuine change of heart.
Narrator: It comes from the verb repent, from the Latin repentir, meaning to regret.
Narrator: "To show repentance" describes demonstrating genuine regret and a will to change.
Narrator: It differs from apology because repentance is internal and lasting, whereas an apology can be just words.
Narrator: "A life of repentance" is a religious sense meaning a ongoing turning from sin.
Narrator: Religion, ethics, psychology and literature all rely on the word repentance.
Narrator: So remember: repentance is regret with change, from the Latin for to regret.
Speaker A: What does repentance mean?
Speaker B: Regret with change! REPENTANCE comes from the verb repent, from the Latin repentir, so it's sincere regret and a resolve to change.
Speaker A: So it's more than an apology?
Speaker B: Yes — it's a genuine change of heart!
Speaker A: Example sentences?
Speaker B: "Show repentance"; "a life of repentance"; "his repentance was genuine" — action, faith and sincerity.
Speaker A: Common mistakes?
Speaker B: Don't confuse repentance with apology, because repentance is internal and lasting, while an apology can be just words.
Speaker A: Close relatives?
Speaker B: 'Apology' the spoken cousin, 'contrition' the formal twin, 'remorse' the emotional alternative. The word keeps its transformative charm!
Speaker B: Let's use "repentance" in AI prompts — useful for faith apps and counselling tools.
Speaker A: So a prompt could frame a journey?
Speaker B: Right. For a faith app, you'd write:
Prompt: Write a short reflection on what repentance means in daily life, naming two signs of change.
Speaker A: How about a counselling tool?
Speaker B: Ask the model to frame healing:
Prompt: Draft a guide on how repentance helps repair a relationship, naming two steps.
Speaker A: Could it help with a writing bot?
Speaker B: Yes, you can frame a character:
Prompt: Summarise in two sentences how a story shows a villain's repentance, naming one turning point.
Speaker A: One more?
Speaker B: For an ethics chatbot, try this:
Prompt: Write a short debate prompt on whether repentance should reduce a prison sentence, naming one argument.
Repentance — meaning in Arabic & definition More R courses GL Dictionary