contestar Present Conjugation
contestar — to answer
Use 'contesto', 'contestas', 'contesta' for actions happening now or habitually.
contestar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
The present tense is your go-to for actions happening right now, habitual actions, or general truths. It answers 'What do you do?' or 'What is happening?'.
Notes on contestar in the Present
Contestar is regular in the present indicative. It follows the standard -ar verb conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo contesto el teléfono cuando suena.
I answer the phone when it rings.
yo
¿Tú contestas los correos electrónicos de trabajo?
Do you answer work emails?
tú
Ella contesta las preguntas con calma.
She answers the questions calmly.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros contestamos la llamada enseguida.
We answer the call right away.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present subjunctive 'conteste' when the indicative 'contesta' is needed.
Correct: For factual statements or habitual actions, use the present indicative 'contesta' (he/she/you formal answers).
Why: The indicative mood is for facts and objective reality, while the subjunctive is for uncertainty, desire, etc.
Mistake: Confusing 'contesta' (él/ella/usted) with 'contesto' (yo).
Correct: Remember that 'contesto' is for 'I' and 'contesta' is for 'he/she/you (formal)'.
Why: These are distinct forms for different subjects in the present tense.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'contestar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: contesté
Use 'contesté', 'contestaste', 'contestó' for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: contestaba
Use 'contestaba', 'contestabas', etc., for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: contestaré
The future tense 'contestaré', 'contestarás', etc., indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: contestaría
Use 'contestaría', 'contestarías', etc., for hypothetical situations ('would answer').
Present Subjunctive
yo: conteste
Use 'conteste' (yo/él/ella/usted) and 'contestes' (tú) for wishes, doubts, or influence.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: contestara
Use 'contestara' or 'contestase' for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contesta
Use 'contesta' (tú) and 'conteste' (usted) for direct commands to answer.
Negative Imperative
yo: no contestes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive, like 'no contestes' (tú) or 'no conteste' (usted).