/kontesˈtaɾ/

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Translation

to answer, to reply

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Word origin

From Latin contestari ('to call to witness, to bring an action'), from cum ('with') and testari ('to bear witness'), from testis ('witness'). The same root gives English 'testify' and 'contest'.

Origin
Latin
Root
contestari
English cognates
contest, testify, testimony

Grammar

Verb type-ar regular

Conjugation

Regular -ar conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..

Indicative

Person PresentPreteriteImperfectFutureConditional
yocontestocontestécontestabacontestarécontestaría
túcontestascontestastecontestabascontestaráscontestarías
él/ella/ud.contestacontestócontestabacontestarácontestaría
nos.contestamoscontestamoscontestábamoscontestaremoscontestaríamos
vos.contestáiscontestasteiscontestabaiscontestaréiscontestaríais
ellos/uds.contestancontestaroncontestabancontestaráncontestarían

Subjunctive

Person PresentImperfect (-ra)Imperfect (-se)
yocontestecontestaracontestase
túcontestescontestarascontestases
él/ella/ud.contestecontestaracontestase
nos.contestemoscontestáramoscontestásemos
vos.contestéiscontestaraiscontestaseis
ellos/uds.contestencontestarancontestasen

Imperative

Person Affirmative
túcontesta
ud.conteste
nosotroscontestemos
vosotroscontestad
uds.contesten

Non-finite

Gerund / present participle
contestando
Past participle
contestado

Examples

.

You have to answer the phone when it rings.

.

I didn't know how to answer his question.

, .

Please reply to my message soon.

.

The boy didn't want to answer his mother.

.

I am going to answer the email after lunch.

Where this fits

Used in

Stories

(36)

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Spanish · Free printables

contestar: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "contestar" (to answer, to reply): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is taught in chapter 12, lesson 9: contestar, respecto, regreso and 7 more words.