to answer
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Siempre contesto los mensajes de mi mamá.
I always answer my mom's messages.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Nadie contestó el teléfono.
Nobody answered the phone.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Mi abuela contestaba con un chiste.
My grandmother would answer with a joke.
Futuro · What will happen
Te contestaré mañana.
I'll answer you tomorrow.
Condicional · What would happen
Yo no contestaría esa llamada.
I wouldn't answer that call.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
¿Has contestado el correo?
Have you answered the email?
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ya había contestado la carta.
She had already answered the letter.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para el lunes habremos contestado todas las preguntas.
By Monday we will have answered all the questions.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Yo habría contestado lo mismo.
I would have given the same answer.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Quiero que me contestes.
I want you to answer me.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Esperaba que ella contestara.
I was hoping she would answer.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Pedí que contestasen pronto.
I asked them to answer soon.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Dudo que haya contestado.
I doubt he has answered.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubieras contestado, te habría dicho.
If you had answered, I would have told you.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Contesta el teléfono.
Answer the phone.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No contestes así a tu madre.
Don't talk back to your mother like that.