respuesta
/resˈpwesta/feminine
The English word 'answer' (as a noun) is translated into Spanish as respuesta.
respuesta is used to mean a response or a reply. To express the action of making a reply or response, you should use the verbs responder or contestar.
Meaning: response (noun)
Which one should you use?
While respuesta is the noun used for 'an answer', the verbs responder or contestar must be used to describe the act of answering. Additionally, contestar can specifically be used to mean responding to a call.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
respuesta is a feminine noun, so you must use the feminine article la (the answer) instead of the masculine el. The plural form of the word is respuestas.
How do you pronounce it?
/resˈpwesta/
Did you know?
- While contestar and responder both mean 'to answer', contestar can specifically carry a connotation of 'talking back' or arguing with an authority figure.
- The verb responder can be used intransitively to describe someone who is 'accountable' or 'responsible' for an action, as in responder por sus actos.
- The noun respuesta actually contains a hidden connection to the verb 'to put' or 'to place'. It stems from a linguistic corruption of 'poner', meaning to place or set, effectively suggesting a response is something 'put back' in reply.
Examples in context
- La respuesta es sí.The answer is yes.This sentence shows how to state that the answer is yes using respuesta.Tatoeba #1617839 by marcelostockle, translation #1617180 by Spamster
- La respuesta es no.The answer is no.This sentence shows how to state that the answer is no using respuesta.Tatoeba #1617840 by marcelostockle, translation #1617182 by Spamster
- No es la respuesta.It's not the answer.This sentence shows how to say that something is not the answer using respuesta.Tatoeba #1686442 by Shishir, translation #1676649 by Spamster
- Le agradecería que me brinde una respuesta lo antes posible.I would appreciate it if you could provide me with an answer as soon as possible.
- Por favor, espere unos momentos mientras busco la contestación adecuada.Please wait a moment while I look for the appropriate answer.
- No tengo una respuesta definitiva en este momento.I don't have a definite answer right now.
- 309 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a test result.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿tienes la respuesta correcta?Daniel, do you have the correct answer?
- DanielNo, mi respuesta es diferente.No, my answer is different.
- SofíaCreo que tu respuesta es mejor.I think your answer is better.
- DanielGracias, Sofía.Thank you, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “answer” translations and entries respuesta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries respuesta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
