contestar
/kon-tes-tar/
to answer
Contestar means to answer a question or a letter.
contestar(verb)
to answer
?a question, a letter
,to reply
?an email, a comment
to respond
?formally or generally
📝 In Action
¿Puedes contestar a mi pregunta, por favor?
A1Can you answer my question, please?
Ella contestó el correo electrónico inmediatamente.
A2She replied to the email immediately.
Siempre contesta con mucha calma, aunque esté molesto.
B1He always answers very calmly, even if he is annoyed.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a' with 'Contestar'
You can say 'contestar la pregunta' (answer the question) or 'contestar a la pregunta.' Both are correct, but using 'a' is becoming less common in many regions, especially when answering things directly.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Answer' and 'Ask'
Mistake: "Using 'contestar' when you mean 'to ask' (preguntar)."
Correction: Remember: 'Contestar' is for giving the response. The action of asking is 'preguntar' or 'hacer una pregunta.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Action
Think of 'contestar' as the verb that completes the communication loop: someone asks, you contestas.
Contestar also means to answer the phone or the door.
📝 In Action
El teléfono está sonando. ¿Vas a contestar?
A2The phone is ringing. Are you going to answer?
Toca la puerta; no contestan.
B1Knock on the door; they aren't answering.
⭐ Usage Tips
Direct Object Use
When answering the phone or door, 'contestar' usually takes the object directly: 'contestar el teléfono' (answer the phone), not 'a el teléfono'.
In a different context, contestar means to talk back or reply disrespectfully.
contestar(verb)
to talk back
?to speak disrespectfully
,to sass
?informal retort
to retort
?to reply sharply
📝 In Action
No me contestes de esa manera, jovencito.
B1Don't talk back to me that way, young man.
Cuando lo regañaron, contestó con un comentario sarcástico.
C1When they scolded him, he retorted with a sarcastic comment.
💡 Grammar Points
Implied Tone
In this sense, 'contestar' often carries a negative implication of defiance or impudence, even if the words themselves are just a reply.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: contestar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'contestar' in the sense of 'talking back' or being rude?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'contestar' the same as 'responder'?
They are very similar synonyms and often interchangeable. 'Responder' is sometimes considered slightly more formal or implies a response to a general situation or action, while 'contestar' is very direct for answering a question, a letter, or a phone call.
Does 'contestar' require the preposition 'a'?
No, it doesn't always need 'a'. You can say 'Contesto la pregunta' (I answer the question) or 'Contesto a la pregunta.' In modern usage, using it without 'a' is often preferred, especially when the thing being answered is a direct object (like a letter or question).