How to Say "reply" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “reply” is “responder” — use this infinitive form when talking about the general action of responding to a message, question, or communication, often in a question or with a modal verb like 'poder'..
responder
/rres-pon-der//res.ponˈdeɾ/
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/
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).
responde
rreh-SPOHN-deh/resˈpon.de/
Examples
¡Responde mis correos!
Answer my emails!
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'.
responda
reh-SPON-dah/resˈponda/
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 Confusion
Related Translations
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