Inklingo

How to Say "answer" in Spanish

English → Spanish

responder

/rres-pon-der//res.ponˈdeɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'responder' when you want to talk about the action of giving a reply to a question or responding to someone.
A colorful illustration showing a child speaking while another child listens carefully, illustrating the act of answering.

Examples

¿Puedes responder la pregunta del profesor?

Can you answer the teacher's question?

Ella respondió rápidamente a mi correo electrónico.

She replied quickly to my email.

Nadie responde el teléfono en la oficina.

Nobody is answering the phone at the office.

Using the Preposition 'A'

When answering a something (like a call or an email), Spanish often uses the preposition 'a': 'responder a la pregunta'.

Confusing 'Responder' and 'Preguntar'

Mistake: “Using 'Pregunto una respuesta' (I ask an answer).”

Correction: Use 'Doy una respuesta' (I give an answer) or just 'Respondo' (I answer).

respuesta

/res-PWES-tah//reˈspwesta/

NounA1General
Use 'respuesta' when referring to the reply or the answer itself, as a noun.
A cartoon cat receiving a bright green scroll from a mouse, symbolizing a delivered answer or reply.

Examples

Todavía estoy esperando una respuesta.

I'm still waiting for an answer.

¿Cuál es la respuesta a la pregunta número cinco?

What is the answer to question number five?

Gracias por tu rápida respuesta a mi correo.

Thank you for your quick reply to my email.

It's a Feminine Noun

Always remember that 'respuesta' is a feminine word, so you'll use 'la respuesta' (the answer) or 'una respuesta' (an answer).

Confusing with 'responder'

Mistake: “Yo soy respuesta a tu pregunta.”

Correction: Yo respondo a tu pregunta. 'Respuesta' is the thing you give (a noun), while 'responder' is the action you do (a verb).

solución

NounA1General
Use 'solución' when 'answer' means a solution to a problem, riddle, or conflict, implying resolution.

Examples

Necesitamos encontrar una solución rápida a este conflicto.

We need to find a quick solution to this conflict.

responda

reh-SPON-dah/resˈponda/

VerbA1Formal
Use 'responda' as a formal command or suggestion, instructing someone to reply.
A simple colorful illustration showing two stylized characters facing each other. One character is standing expectantly, and the second character is clearly speaking, with a solid, colorful sound wave emanating from their mouth towards the first character, illustrating a response.

Examples

Por favor, responda a mi pregunta de inmediato.

Please, answer my question immediately.

Espero que ella responda al correo antes del mediodía.

I hope that she answers the email before noon. (Expressing a wish)

No creo que el jefe responda a esa crítica.

I don't believe the boss will respond to that criticism. (Expressing doubt)

Formal Commands (Usted)

'Responda' is the polite way to give a direct order to a single person you don't know well (using the 'usted' form). It means 'You must answer!'

The Subjunctive Mood

'Responda' is also used when expressing a wish, doubt, emotion, or necessity about someone else's action, usually after connecting words like 'que' (that). For example: 'Quiero que responda' (I want him/her/you to answer).

Mixing Command Forms

Mistake: “Using 'responde' for a formal command (Usted).”

Correction: Use 'responda' for formal commands and 'responde' only for informal commands ('tú'). Remember that formal commands borrow the '-a' ending from '-er' verbs.

Verb vs. Noun: Responder vs. Respuesta

The most common mistake is using the verb 'responder' when you mean the noun 'respuesta', or vice versa. Remember that 'responder' is the action of answering, while 'respuesta' is the answer itself.

Related Translations

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