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"Responder" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to answer", and "contestar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to answer". Learn more about the difference between "responder" and "contestar" below.
responder(
rrehs
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pohn
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dehr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. to reply
Le escribí una postal y me respondió con una carta de diez páginas.I wrote him a postcard, and he replied to me with ten-page letter.
c. to give a reply
Respondiste de una manera que debió haber puesto fin a la conversación, pero no puedo dejarla así.You gave a reply that should have ended the conversation, but I can't let it end like that.
2. (to react)
a. to respond
Los perros respondieron gruñéndoles a los gatos.The dogs responded by growling at the cats.
b. to respond to
Los huéspedes del hotel respondieron a la alarma evacuando.The hotel guests responded to the alarm by evacuating.
a. to answer back
La profesora lo castigó por responder.The teacher punished him for answering back.
b. to talk back (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Cuando te digo que te cepilles los dientes, no necesito que me respondas.When I tell you to brush your teeth, I don't need you to talk back.
b. to take responsibility for
Ella responde de que los volantes se repartan a tiempo.She takes responsibility for getting the flyers handed out on time.
a. to be in keeping with
Sus fotografías responden al tema de la exhibición.Her photographs are in keeping with the theme of the exhibit.
b. to be appropriate for
La multa que se cobró responde a los daños hechos.The fine charged is appropriate for the damage done.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to answer
El estudiante respondió que él no había sido.The student answered that he didn't do it.
b. to reply to
¿Respondiste ya el correo electrónico de tu jefa?Have you replied to your boss's email yet?
c. to respond to (formal)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Manuel respondió preguntas del comité.Manuel responded to the committee's questions.
a. to answer
Mi papá no me respondió la llamada, así que tuve que irme caminando a casa.My dad didn't answer my call, so I had to walk home.
contestar(
kohn
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tehs
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tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to reply to
Sería bonito que me contestaras las cartas alguna vez.It would be nice if you'd reply to my letters sometime.
2. (to retort)
a. to talk back
No puedo salir a jugar por una semana porque le contesté a mi mamá.I can't go out to play for a week because I talked back to my mom.
b. to answer back
Ese chico maleducado siempre anda contestando a los maestros.That rude boy is always answering back to the teachers.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (to dissent)
a. to protest
Los estudiantes universitarios contestaron para mostrar su desacuerdo con el alza de las cuotas.The university students protested to show their disagreement with the fee hike.
4. (to respond)
