Inklingo

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.

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contestó

verbA1general
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.

Examples

Ella contestó el teléfono a la primera.

She answered the phone on the first ring.

respondió

verbA1general
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.

Examples

Ella no respondió a mi llamada.

She did not answer my call.

respondido

re-spon-DEE-thoresponˈdiðo

verbA1general
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.
A person holding a raised hand with a bright smile, having just provided an answer.

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.

respondido

re-spon-DEE-thoresponˈdiðo

adjectiveA2general
Use 'respondido' as an adjective to describe a message, task, or item that has already been dealt with or replied to.
A person holding a raised hand with a bright smile, having just provided an answer.

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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