Inklingo
Dictionary

respuesta

res-PWES-tahreˈspwesta

“respuesta” means “answer” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

answerA1Noun

to a question

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solutionB1Noun

to a problem

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retortB2Noun

a sharp, angry, or witty reply

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answer, replyAlso: response

NounfA1
A cartoon cat receiving a bright green scroll from a mouse, symbolizing a delivered answer or reply.

📝 In Action

Todavía estoy esperando una respuesta.

A1

I'm still waiting for an answer.

¿Cuál es la respuesta a la pregunta número cinco?

A2

What is the answer to question number five?

Gracias por tu rápida respuesta a mi correo.

A2

Thank you for your quick reply to my email.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • contestación (reply/answer)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dar una respuesta – to give an answer
  • en respuesta a – in response to
  • no tener respuesta – to have no answer

solutionAlso: resolution, key

NounfB1
A tangled knot of ropes next to a perfectly straight, neatly coiled piece of rope, symbolizing the solution to a problem.

📝 In Action

La respuesta al problema es más sencilla de lo que parece.

B1

The solution to the problem is simpler than it seems.

Necesitamos una respuesta efectiva a la crisis económica.

B2

We need an effective response to the economic crisis.

La diplomacia es la única respuesta posible en este conflicto.

B2

Diplomacy is the only possible solution in this conflict.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • solución (solution)
  • resolución (resolution)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • buscar una respuesta – to look for a solution
  • encontrar la respuesta – to find the solution

retortAlso: rejoinder, comeback

NounfB2formal
A confident fox facing a stunned and recoiling bear, illustrating the impact of a sharp or witty retort.

📝 In Action

No esperaba una respuesta tan agresiva de su parte.

B2

I didn't expect such an aggressive retort from him.

Su respuesta ingeniosa dejó a todos sin palabras.

C1

His witty comeback left everyone speechless.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • réplica (retort, reply)

Common Collocations

  • tener una respuesta para todo – to have an answer for everything (can be negative)

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Often confused with contestaciónnear-synonyms

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "respuesta" in Spanish:

answercomebackkeyrejoinderreplyresolutionresponseretort

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: respuesta

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'respuesta' to mean a 'solution'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
responder(to answer, to respond) — Verb
correspondencia(correspondence, mail) — Noun
irresponsable(irresponsible) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
propuestaapuestafiesta
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin verb 'respondēre', which means 'to answer' or 'to promise in return'. It's formed from 're-' (back) and 'spondēre' (to promise). So, a 'respuesta' is literally a 'promise back' to a question or statement.

First recorded: Around the 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: respond, responseFrench: réponseItalian: risposta

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'respuesta' and 'contestación'?

They are very similar and often interchangeable for 'answer' or 'reply'. However, 'respuesta' is much more common and can also mean 'solution'. 'Contestación' is used almost exclusively for a direct reply to a question, letter, or call.

How do I say 'to answer' in Spanish?

The verb is 'responder'. Remember, 'respuesta' is the thing (the noun), and 'responder' is the action (the verb). For example: 'Yo respondo' (I answer), 'Necesito una respuesta' (I need an answer).