contactar
“contactar” means “to contact” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to contact, to get hold ofAlso: to reach out to
📝 In Action
Necesito contactar al proveedor antes del mediodía.
B1I need to contact the supplier before noon.
¿Con quién debo contactar para resolver este problema?
B1Who should I contact to solve this problem?
El presidente contactó con la prensa para dar un anuncio.
B2The president contacted the press to make an announcement.
Word Connections
to get in touch with each other, to connect (with)Also: to make contact
📝 In Action
Los dos equipos se contactaron para coordinar la reunión.
B2The two teams contacted each other to coordinate the meeting.
Si tienen dudas, pueden contactarse directamente con el departamento.
C1If you have doubts, you can contact the department directly (get in touch with it).
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "contactar" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: contactar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the standard, non-reflexive form of 'contactar'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology
Comes directly from the Latin word *contactus*, meaning 'touching' or 'joining together.' The Spanish verb captures the idea of making that initial connection.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 14th century, though the noun form is older)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use 'contactar' or 'llamar'?
'Llamar' specifically means to call (by phone) or to knock. 'Contactar' is broader; it means reaching out through any medium (phone, email, message, etc.) and is generally more formal.
Is 'contactar' commonly used in Latin America?
Yes, 'contactar' is widely understood and used across the Spanish-speaking world, especially in business or formal settings. In some regions, 'ponerse en contacto' (to put oneself in contact) is a common alternative.