What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me pondré en contacto contigo literally translates to "I will put myself in contact with you".
Which one should you use?
You can also use the shorter and more direct te contactaré to say "I will contact you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation, speakers often use luego te digo algo (I'll tell you something later). Other informal options include Te aviso (I'll let you know) or Te escribo después (I'll write to you later). For a formal context, you might use Le daré una respuesta tan pronto como sea posible to say "I will give you an answer as soon as possible".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the phrase depending on who you are addressing. To use this in a formal setting, replace the informal contigo with the formal con usted to get me pondré en contacto con usted. If you are addressing a group of people informally, use con vosotros instead of contigo to say me pondré en contacto con vosotros.
How do you pronounce it?
/me pondɾe en kontaɡto kontiɡo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase luego te digo algo can be a polite way to avoid giving a definitive 'no' without actually intending to follow up.
- The word contigo is a linguistic fossil from Latin that literally means 'with you with'. It essentially doubles the preposition to express the relationship.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the formal usted is not just for strangers, but is also used by subordinates to show respect to superiors when promising to follow up. Using contigo in a business environment could be seen as an unintended display of over-familiarity.
Examples in context
- Gracias por su consulta, me pondré en contacto con usted tan pronto como tenga la información requerida.Thank you for your inquiry, I will get in touch with you as soon as I have the required information.
- Agradezco su paciencia. Le daré una respuesta tan pronto como sea posible.I appreciate your patience. I will give you an answer as soon as possible.
- Estoy investigando, te aviso en cuanto tenga más información.I'm investigating, I'll let you know as soon as I have more information.
- No tengo la respuesta ahora, pero te escribo después con más detalles.I don't have the answer now, but I'll write to you later with more details.
- Me pondré en contacto contigo mañana.I will get back to you tomorrow.
- Si tengo la respuesta, me pondré en contacto contigo.If I have the answer, I will get back to you.
- Me pondré en contacto contigo en cuanto pueda.I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a work project over the phone.
- Lucía¿Tienes la información para la reunión?Do you have the information for the meeting?
- AlejandroTodavía no, pero me pondré en contacto contigo pronto.Not yet, but I will get back to you soon.
- LucíaEstá bien, espero tu llamada.Alright, I'll wait for your call.
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía. Hasta luego.Thanks, Lucía. See you later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contacto, contigo, en, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
