/kontesˈtaɾ/
Translation
to answer, to reply
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
Conjugation
Regular -ar conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..
Indicative
| Person | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | contesto | contesté | contestaba | contestaré | contestaría |
| tú | contestas | contestaste | contestabas | contestarás | contestarías |
| él/ella/ud. | contesta | contestó | contestaba | contestará | contestaría |
| nos. | contestamos | contestamos | contestábamos | contestaremos | contestaríamos |
| vos. | contestáis | contestasteis | contestabais | contestaréis | contestaríais |
| ellos/uds. | contestan | contestaron | contestaban | contestarán | contestarían |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect (-ra) | Imperfect (-se) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | conteste | contestara | contestase |
| tú | contestes | contestaras | contestases |
| él/ella/ud. | conteste | contestara | contestase |
| nos. | contestemos | contestáramos | contestásemos |
| vos. | contestéis | contestarais | contestaseis |
| ellos/uds. | contesten | contestaran | contestasen |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tú | contesta |
| ud. | conteste |
| nosotros | contestemos |
| vosotros | contestad |
| uds. | contesten |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- contestando
- Past participle
- contestado
Examples
suena.
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
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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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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 20.