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"Responder" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to answer", and "hablar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to speak". Learn more about the difference between "responder" and "hablar" below.
responder(
rrehs
-
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.
hablar(
ah
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blahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to discuss
Eso tienes que hablarlo directamente con el director.You need to discuss that directly with the principal.
b. to say
¿Verdaderamente no tienes nada de qué hablarme?You really don't have anything to say to me?
8. (to call) (Argentina) (El Salvador) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in El Salvador
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to phone
Ahora que tienes su número, ¿le vas a hablar?Now that you have her number, are you going to phone her?
hablarse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
b. to talk to each other
Deberían hablarse con más frecuencia para que no surja este tipo de problema.They should talk to each other more often to avoid this type of issue coming up.
e. to be on speaking terms
Los primos no se hablan después de la pelea sobre la herencia.The cousins aren't on speaking terms after the fight over the inheritance.
