Inklingo
← Dictionary

contestó

kon-tes-TOHkontesˈto

“contestó” means “answered” in Spanish (past action by one person).

answered, replied

Also: responded, talked back
VerbA1regular ar
A person holding an old-fashioned telephone receiver to their ear with a pleasant expression, as if responding to a caller.
gerundcontestando
past Participlecontestado
infinitivecontestar

📝 In Action

Ella contestó el teléfono a la primera.

A1

She answered the phone on the first ring.

El estudiante contestó todas las preguntas.

A1

The student answered all the questions.

Él me contestó de forma muy amable.

A2

He replied to me in a very kind way.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • respondió (responded)
  • replicó (replied/retorted)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • contestó bien – answered correctly
  • contestó rápido – answered quickly

Idioms & Expressions

  • le contestó de mala gana – answered unwillingly or rudely

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yocontestara
túcontestaras
él/ella/ustedcontestara
nosotroscontestáramos
vosotroscontestarais
ellos/ellas/ustedescontestaran

Present Subjunctive

yoconteste
túcontestes
él/ella/ustedconteste
nosotroscontestemos
vosotroscontestéis
ellos/ellas/ustedescontesten

Indicative

Preterite

yocontesté
túcontestaste
él/ella/ustedcontestó
nosotroscontestamos
vosotroscontestasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedescontestaron

Imperfect

yocontestaba
túcontestabas
él/ella/ustedcontestaba
nosotroscontestábamos
vosotroscontestabais
ellos/ellas/ustedescontestaban

Present

yocontesto
túcontestas
él/ella/ustedcontesta
nosotroscontestamos
vosotroscontestáis
ellos/ellas/ustedescontestan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "contestó" in Spanish:

talked back→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contestó

Question 1 of 2

Which of these people is likely the subject of 'contestó'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
contestar(to answer) — Verb
contestación(an answer/reply) — Noun
contestador(answering machine) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'contestari', which originally meant to call witnesses into court or to start a legal action.

First recorded: 13th Century

Cognates (Related words)

English: contestFrench: contester

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'contestó' only work for talking?

No! It works for answering the phone, answering a door, or even responding to an email.

Can I use 'contestó' to mean 'argued back'?

Yes, if used with a certain tone, 'él me contestó' can imply that someone answered back rudely or defiantly.