react
gb/ɹiˈækt/ us/ɹiˈækt/
A2
English
~ 3000
reagál, reakcióba lép
VERB
A2
1
reagál
B1
Usage pattern:
to react to [something]
She reacted angrily to the unfair comment.
Dühösen reagált az igazságtalan megjegyzésre.
The company reacted quickly to the sudden drop in sales.
A vállalat gyorsan reagált az eladások hirtelen visszaesésére.
He didn't know how to react when he heard the news.
The audience reacted with laughter.
They reacted positively to the new proposal.
Learner examples
I reacted to the loud noise.
Reagáltam a hangos zajra.
She reacted with a smile.
Mosollyal reagált.
They reacted when they saw the dog.
He reacted to my question.
We reacted fast when the phone rang.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'react' with 'respond', but 'react' often suggests a more immediate, emotional, or physical action.
Meaning
Respond to an action or event
Collocations
react quickly
|react angrily
|react positively
|react to criticism
|react under pressure
Synonyms
respond (More general and neutral; can be used for both verbal and non-verbal replies.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to deliberately not respond to something.)
Themes
communication
|daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To do or say something because of what just happened or was said.
To do or say something as a direct response to something that has happened or been said.
VERB
B1
TECHNICAL
2
reagál
B1
Usage pattern:
to react with [substance]
Sodium reacts violently with water.
A nátrium hevesen reagál a vízzel.
The metal will react with oxygen over time.
A fém idővel reakcióba lép az oxigénnel.
This compound reacts with acids to form salts.
Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water.
Learner examples
Water reacts with hot metal.
A víz reakcióba lép a forró fémmel.
This powder reacts with water.
Ez a por reagál a vízzel.
The gas reacts with air.
Iron reacts with oxygen.
Salt reacts with some chemicals.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'react' in chemistry without specifying 'with', which is needed to clarify the other substance involved.
Meaning
Undergo chemical change
Collocations
react chemically
|react violently
|react with oxygen
|react with acid
Synonyms
combine (In chemistry, 'combine' can mean join together, but it does not always imply a chemical change.)
Antonyms
remain inert (Means not undergoing any chemical reaction.)
Themes
science
|chemistry
Definition
When a substance changes because it touches another substance.
To change chemically when coming into contact with another substance.
VERB
B1
3
reagál
B1
Usage pattern:
to react [adverb] to [something]
She reacted calmly to the bad news.
Nyugodtan reagált a rossz hírre.
He reacted strongly when accused of lying.
Hevesen reagált, amikor azzal vádolták, hogy hazudik.
They reacted emotionally to the movie's ending.
Learner examples
I reacted happily to the gift.
Örömmel reagáltam az ajándékra.
She reacted sadly to the news.
Szomorúan reagált a hírre.
He reacted angrily to my words.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with general 'respond', but here the focus is specifically on emotions shown outwardly.
Meaning
Show emotional response to event
Collocations
react emotionally
|react calmly
|react badly
|react strongly
Synonyms
overreact (Means to respond too strongly or emotionally compared to what is reasonable.)
Antonyms
stay calm (Means not showing strong emotion in response to something.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To show feelings because of what happens.
To display an emotional response when something happens.
Grammar
Dictionary form
react
IPA
GB/ɹiˈækt/
US/ɹiˈækt/
Syllables & stress
re - act (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (act)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: react
- 3rd Person Singular: reacts
- Present Participle: reacting
- Past: reacted
Word family
Expressions
overreact to
1/ˈoʊvɚɹiˈækt tə/
fixed phrase
Respond too strongly
To act too strongly because of something small or unimportant.
Examples
- He overreacted to the small mistake.
- Don't overreact to what she said.
react against
1/ɹiˈækt əɡˈɛnst/
phrasal verb
Oppose in response
To act in a way that shows you are against something because of what happened before.
Examples
- Many young people reacted against the strict rules of their parents.
- The voters reacted against the government's policies.
react with shock
1/ɹiˈækt wˈɪθ ʃˈɑk/
fixed phrase
Show surprise and disbelief
To show surprise and that you cannot believe something happened.
Examples
- The crowd reacted with shock when they heard the verdict.
- She reacted with shock at the sudden announcement.