contestar el teléfono
/kontestaɾ el telefono/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'answer the phone' is translated into Spanish as contestar el teléfono.
This phrase is used when you pick up a telephone call when it rings. You can also replace el teléfono with la llamada to say 'to answer the call', resulting in contestar la llamada.
Which one should you use?
While contestar el teléfono is the standard way to say 'answer the phone', atender el teléfono is a more formal way to express answering or attending to a call.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of 'answering the phone', you would use the gerund form contestando el teléfono.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use responder (to respond/reply) instead of contestar (to answer) when referring to picking up a phone call.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is common to simply say ¡Diga! or ¡Dígame! when picking up the phone, which literally means 'Speak!' or 'Tell me!'
- The verb contestar used in this phrase shares an ancient root with the Latin contestārī, which meant 'to call to witness' in a legal sense.
- Depending on the region, people may use aló to answer the phone, a term derived from the English 'hello' but used as a distinct greeting across Latin America.
Examples in context
- Tengo que contestar el teléfono.I have to answer the phone.Tatoeba #1745978 by marcelostockle, translation #1744883 by Amastan
- Tom tenía que contestar el teléfono.Tom had to answer the phone.Tatoeba #1442185 by marcelostockle, translation #1025542 by CK
- Ella se levantó para contestar el teléfono.She stood up to answer the phone.Tatoeba #1013891 by hayastan, translation #315943 by CK
- Buenos días, ¿dígame?Good morning, may I help you?
- ¿Bueno?Hi/Hello?
- ¿Sí?Yes?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are in the living room when the phone rings.
- Javier¿Puedes contestar el teléfono, María?Can you answer the phone, María?
- MaríaNo puedo, estoy ocupada cocinando.I can't, I am busy cooking.
- JavierEstá bien, yo contestaré el teléfono.Okay, I will answer the phone.
- MaríaGracias, Javier.Thank you, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contestar, el, teléfono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
