Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Answer in Spanish: Respuesta
Respuesta · noun · rrehs-PWES-tah
The Spanish noun 'respuesta' means 'answer' or 'response.' The related verbs 'responder' and 'contestar' both mean 'to answer,' with contestar being especially common for answering phone calls or direct questions. Respuesta is a feminine noun used universally across all Spanish-speaking countries.
rrehs-PWES-tah
La respuesta correcta al problema de química sorprendió a toda la clase.
The correct answer to the chemistry problem surprised the entire class.
Answer in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for answer, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| respuesta | answer | rrehs-PWES-tah | Default, widely understood |
| responder | answer | verb form meaning to answer or reply | |
| contestar | answer | commonly used for answering calls or questions |
How Native Speakers Use Respuesta
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
School setting
El profesor pidió a los alumnos que escribieran la respuesta en sus cuadernos.
The teacher asked the students to write the answer in their notebooks.
Respuesta is the noun form; escribir la respuesta is a common classroom phrase.
Phone conversation
Llamé tres veces pero nadie contestó el teléfono en la oficina.
I called three times but nobody answered the phone at the office.
Contestar is the preferred verb for answering phone calls.
Email reply
Todavía estoy esperando su respuesta al correo electrónico que envié la semana pasada.
I am still waiting for their answer to the email I sent last week.
Respuesta also covers written replies to messages and correspondence.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Respuesta
Wrong verb choice
Incorrect: ¿Puedes answerar mi pregunta rápidamente?
Correct: ¿Puedes responder a mi pregunta rápidamente?
There is no verb 'answerar' in Spanish; use responder or contestar followed by the appropriate preposition.
Missing preposition
Incorrect: Ella respondió la puerta cuando tocaron.
Correct: Ella abrió la puerta cuando tocaron.
In English you 'answer the door,' but Spanish uses 'abrir la puerta' (open the door); responder does not apply to doors.
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See Respuesta used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using respuesta in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La respuesta correcta al problema de química sorprendió a toda la clase. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Answer in Spanish
- What is the difference between responder and contestar?
- Both verbs mean 'to answer,' but contestar is more colloquial and commonly used for answering phones, doors (figuratively), and direct questions. Responder carries a slightly more formal register and is preferred in academic and written contexts, though the two are largely interchangeable.
- How do you say 'the answer is' in Spanish?
- The standard construction is 'la respuesta es,' using the feminine article because respuesta is feminine. For example, 'La respuesta es cuarenta y dos' means 'The answer is forty-two,' a phrase any math student would recognize.
- Can respuesta mean 'response' as well as 'answer'?
- Respuesta covers both meanings seamlessly, whether you are discussing a quiz answer or an emotional response to an event. Context determines whether it translates better as 'answer' or 'response' in a given English sentence.