contesta el teléfono
/kontesta el telefono/from spelling rules
To answer your phone in Spanish is to say contesta el teléfono.
The phrase is used to instruct someone to pick up and respond to an incoming telephone call. Depending on the region, you might replace teléfono with móvil if you are specifically referring to a cellphone, which is the term commonly used in Spain.
What does it mean word for word?
The word contesta is the command form of the verb contestar, which means to answer or respond.
Which one should you use?
While contesta el teléfono is a standard way to give this command, you can change the pronoun and verb form to adjust for level of familiarity or the specific device being used (such as móvil for a cellphone).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the phrase levantá el tubo is used to mean 'answer the phone'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form contesta el teléfono is the imperative (command) form used when speaking to someone you know well. To express the action itself rather than giving a command, use the infinitive form contestar el teléfono.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to answer the phone by saying ¿Dígame? or ¿Bueno? These literally mean 'Tell me' or 'Good', rather than saying 'Hello'.
- The word contestar can mean both 'to answer' and 'to talk back' or 'be cheeky'. Depending on the tone, telling someone to contesta could be interpreted as an accusation of rudeness.
- The word teléfono is built from two Ancient Greek roots: têle, meaning 'far off', and phōnḗ, meaning 'voice'.
Examples in context
- Por favor, conteste su teléfono cuando suenePlease answer your phone when it rings
- ¡Contesta tu teléfono, estamos esperando por ti!Answer your phone, we're waiting for you!
- Siempre que suene el teléfono, levantá el tuboWhenever the phone rings, answer it
- ¡Contesta el teléfono, por favor!Answer the phone, please!
- No contesta el teléfono nunca.He never answers his phone.
- Si ves que suena, contesta el teléfono.If you see it ringing, answer the phone.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are sitting in the living room.
- AlejandroElena, el teléfono está sonando.Elena, the phone is ringing.
- ElenaNo puedo, estoy cocinando.I can't, I am cooking.
- Alejandro¡Contesta el teléfono, es urgente!Answer the phone, it's urgent!
- ElenaEstá bien, voy a atenderlo.Alright, I will answer it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contesta, el, teléfono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
