Which one should you use?
While risposta is the standard term, in professional or formal settings you may encounter riscontro, which specifically refers to a response or feedback.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
risposta is a feminine noun, meaning it is used with feminine articles such as la or una. The plural form of risposta is risposte. When using the related verb rispondere to answer a person or a question, you must use the preposition a (for example, rispondere a Marco).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /risˈpos.ta/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using the related verb rispondere, remember that English speakers often mistakenly omit the preposition a when answering someone or something. You should use rispondere a instead of just the verb and the object.
Did you know?
- The word risposta shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pose', stemming from the Latin verb 'ponere', which means 'to place' or 'to put'.
- In Italian, the concept of 'answering' can be used as a legal or formal acknowledgment of receipt through the word riscontro.
Examples in context
- La risposta è 42.The answer is 42.This example shows how to use risposta to provide a numerical answer.Tatoeba #2788551 by Guybrush88, translation #1836232 by Spamster
- La risposta è no.The answer is no.This example shows how to use risposta to provide a negative answer.Tatoeba #3834751 by valealb, translation #1617182 by Spamster
- La risposta è sì.The answer is yes.This example shows how to use risposta to provide an affirmative answer.Tatoeba #6019666 by Guybrush88, translation #1617180 by Spamster
- Mi potreste dare una risposta, per favore?Could you give me an answer, please?
- Attendo il suo riscontro entro la fine della settimana.I await your answer by the end of the week.
- Mi dai una risposta?Can you give me an answer?
- Domani rispondo alla tua emailI will answer your email tomorrow
- Ho ancora bisogno di una risposta completa al mio reclamo.I still need a complete answer to my complaint.
- Non sai darmi una risposta? Sembri confuso!Can't you give me an answer? You seem confused!
- 761 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are discussing an email from a client.
- LorenzoHai ricevuto la sua risposta?Did you receive her response?
- ChiaraSì, ho ricevuto una risposta positiva.Yes, I received a positive response.
- LorenzoOttimo, la risposta ci aiuta molto.Great, the response helps us a lot.
- ChiaraSono felice della sua risposta.I am happy with her response.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “answer” translations and entries risposta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries risposta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
