How to Say "answered" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “answered” is “contestó” — use 'contestó' to describe a specific, completed action in the past where one person gave a direct answer or replied to something, like a question or a call.
Use 'contestó' to describe a specific, completed action in the past where one person gave a direct answer or replied to something, like a question or a call.
Learn more →Use 'respondió' when the focus is on the act of giving a reply or response, especially when the response itself is important, or when someone *didn't* respond.
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Use 'respondido' as a past participle (often with 'haber') to indicate that a response has been given, or as an adjective to describe something that has already received a reply.
Learn more →contestó
Examples
Ella contestó el teléfono a la primera.
She answered the phone on the first ring.
respondió
Examples
Ella no respondió a mi llamada.
She did not answer my call.
re-spon-DEE-thoresponˈdiðo
Examples
He respondido a tu correo electrónico esta mañana.
I have answered your email this morning.
¿Has respondido a la pregunta del profesor?
Have you answered the teacher's question?
Ellos todavía no han respondido a nuestra invitación.
They still haven't replied to our invitation.
Ese es un correo ya respondido.
That is an email that has already been answered.
The 'Haber' Rule
When you use 'respondido' with the helping verb 'haber' (like in 'he respondido'), the word 'respondido' never changes its ending, even if you are talking about multiple things or people.
Matching Words
As an adjective, 'respondido' describes a noun. If the noun is masculine (like 'el correo'), use 'respondido'. If it's feminine (like 'la carta'), use 'respondida'.
The Changing Ending
Mistake: “Mis preguntas han sido respondidos.”
Correction: Mis preguntas han sido respondidas. When 'respondido' acts like a description (adjective), it must match the gender of the thing you are talking about.
re-spon-DEE-thoresponˈdiðo
Examples
Ese es un correo ya respondido.
That is an email that has already been answered.
He respondido a tu correo electrónico esta mañana.
I have answered your email this morning.
¿Has respondido a la pregunta del profesor?
Have you answered the teacher's question?
Ellos todavía no han respondido a nuestra invitación.
They still haven't replied to our invitation.
The 'Haber' Rule
When you use 'respondido' with the helping verb 'haber' (like in 'he respondido'), the word 'respondido' never changes its ending, even if you are talking about multiple things or people.
Matching Words
As an adjective, 'respondido' describes a noun. If the noun is masculine (like 'el correo'), use 'respondido'. If it's feminine (like 'la carta'), use 'respondida'.
The Changing Ending
Mistake: “Mis preguntas han sido respondidos.”
Correction: Mis preguntas han sido respondidas. When 'respondido' acts like a description (adjective), it must match the gender of the thing you are talking about.
Contestó vs. Respondió
Learners often confuse 'contestó' and 'respondió' because both mean 'answered' in the past. Generally, 'contestó' is for direct replies (like to a question or phone call), while 'respondió' emphasizes the act of replying or the lack of one. Think 'contestar' for a direct interaction and 'responder' for the communication itself.
Related Translations
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