conteste
/kohn-TEHS-teh/
answer / reply
A person picks up the phone to answer a call, illustrating the verb 'conteste'.
conteste(verb)
answer / reply
?used in polite commands or after expressing a wish/doubt
respond
?reacting to a situation or message
📝 In Action
Dudo que él conteste mi correo hoy.
B1I doubt that he will answer my email today.
Por favor, conteste la pregunta.
A2Please, answer the question.
Espero que ella me conteste pronto.
B1I hope she replies to me soon.
💡 Grammar Points
When to use 'conteste'
This is a special form of the verb 'contestar'. You use it when you are giving a polite instruction to someone you call 'usted', or when you are talking about a wish, doubt, or hypothetical situation after the word 'que'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't confuse with 'contesta'
Mistake: "Using 'contesta' when you want to be polite."
Correction: Use 'conteste' for polite requests (usted). 'Contesta' is only for close friends and family (tú).
⭐ Usage Tips
Sounding natural
Native speakers often use 'conteste' in professional settings when asking someone to respond to an email or a call to show respect.
Two people shaking hands to show they are in agreement, representing the adjective 'conteste'.
📝 In Action
Los testigos fueron contestes en sus declaraciones.
C2The witnesses were in agreement in their statements.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Agreeing' Adjective
As an adjective, 'conteste' describes people (usually witnesses) who say exactly the same thing as each other.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: conteste
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'conteste' as a polite command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'conteste' just a typo for 'contesta'?
No! 'Contesta' is for a friend (tú), while 'conteste' is the form used for showing respect (usted) or for expressing things like 'I hope that you answer'.
Does 'conteste' mean the same as 'contest' in English?
Not usually. In Spanish, it almost always means 'answer'. Only in very rare legal contexts does it relate to the English idea of 'contesting' a statement.