Inklingo

How to Say "answers" in Spanish

English → Spanish

respuestas

res-PWEHS-tas/resˈpwes.tas/

NounA1General
Use 'respuestas' when you are talking about the solutions or replies to questions, problems, or requests.
A brightly colored storybook illustration showing a glowing, five-pointed star piece perfectly settling into a matching star-shaped indentation on a small, simple pedestal, symbolizing a complete answer or solution.

Examples

¿Tienes las respuestas para el ejercicio de matemáticas?

Do you have the answers for the math exercise?

Las respuestas del público a la nueva ley fueron muy variadas.

The public's responses to the new law were very varied.

Esperamos sus respuestas antes del viernes.

We await your replies before Friday.

Feminine Plural

Since the singular form (respuesta) is feminine, this plural form must always be paired with feminine words, like 'las respuestas' or 'muchas respuestas'.

Mixing Gender

Mistake: “Los respuestas”

Correction: Las respuestas. Remember that 'respuesta' ends in '-a' and is feminine, so use the feminine plural article 'las'.

contesta

/kon-TES-ta//konˈtesta/

VerbA1General
Use 'contesta' (from 'contestar') when referring to the action of giving a reply, especially in informal or direct communication.
A young woman with an open hand gesture, clearly speaking or responding to a man standing opposite her who is listening intently.

Examples

Ella siempre contesta los correos electrónicos rápidamente.

She always answers the emails quickly.

Ella siempre **contesta** los correos electrónicos rápidamente.

She always answers the emails quickly.

Mi jefe nunca **contesta** mi teléfono después de las seis.

My boss never answers my phone after six.

¡**Contesta** la pregunta, por favor!

Answer the question, please!

Dual Role of 'Contesta'

This exact form is used for two very different things: 1) stating a fact about a third person ('He answers') and 2) giving a direct command to a friend ('Answer!'). Context tells you which one it is.

Regular -AR Verb

The verb 'contestar' follows the most common pattern for Spanish verbs, making it easy to conjugate once you know the -AR endings.

Using 'Responder' and 'Contestar'

Mistake: “Using 'Contestar' when 'Responder' is more common for formal replies.”

Correction: Both are interchangeable most of the time, but 'responder' is slightly more common for reactions, while 'contestar' is often used for questions, calls, or letters. Don't worry too much about the difference at first.

responde

rreh-SPOHN-deh/resˈpon.de/

VerbA1General
Use 'responde' (from 'responder') when referring to the action of responding or replying, often implying a more formal or complete reaction than 'contestar'.
A young girl stands in a classroom setting, smiling at a teacher while holding a large, blank speech bubble near her mouth, indicating she is answering a question.

Examples

Mi jefe nunca responde mis correos rápidamente.

My boss never answers my emails quickly.

¡Responde ahora! No tenemos todo el día.

Answer now! We don't have all day.

La niña responde a todas las preguntas con mucha confianza.

The girl answers all the questions with a lot of confidence.

Who is 'Responde'?

'Responde' is the verb form used when the person doing the action is 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or the formal 'you' (usted). It is also the informal command for 'Answer!'

Direct Command

When giving a direct, informal order to one person, you use 'responde' (e.g., ¡Responde la pregunta!). For formal commands, you would use 'responda'.

Verb vs. Noun Confusion

The most common mistake is using the verb forms ('contesta', 'responde') when you actually need the noun 'respuestas' (answers to questions/problems). Remember, 'respuestas' is the thing itself, while 'contesta' and 'responde' are the actions of giving those things.

Related Translations

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