contestar
Del latín 'contestare', que significa 'responder' o 'dar respuesta'.
VERB
(1)
[/kon.tesˈtaɾ/es-ES]
to answer
literal
/
to reply
literal
/
to respond
formal
/
untranslatable concept
untranslatable
(While 'to answer' is common, 'contestar' can imply a specific type of answering often used in formal or legal contexts which doesn't have a direct single-word equivalent in ENGLISH.)
To give an answer, reply, or response to a question, statement, call, or challenge. This verb often carries a nuance of formally addressing, rebutting, or legally responding to something, a specific sense for which there isn't a direct single-word equivalent in English.
irregular
| plural |
|---|
| contestar |
- ¿Puedes contestar el teléfono, por favor? — Can you answer the phone, please?
- El acusado tuvo que contestar a todas las preguntas del juez. — The accused had to answer all the judge's questions.
- Ella nunca contesta mis correos electrónicos. — She never replies to my emails.
- Tuve que contestar un examen muy difícil. — I had to answer a very difficult exam.
register: formal