The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Contestar is used to give direct orders or instructions to answer something, for example Contesta la pregunta. (Answer the question.)

Contestar is a regular -ar verb, so its Imperative conjugations follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Contestar (to answer) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish):

Contestar generally means to answer or reply, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

To answer or reply: This is the most common meaning. For example, ¡Contesta el teléfono! (Answer the phone!)

To respond: Similar to answering, but with a broader sense of reacting or responding. For example, ¡Contesta cuando te hablo! (Respond when I’m talking to you!)

To retort or talk back: Used when replying in a rude or disrespectful way. For example, ¡No me contestes así! (Don’t talk back to me like that!)

To solve or complete (a task or problem): For example, ¡Contesta este examen! (Complete this exam!)

To pick up (the phone): For example, ¡Contesta el celular! (Pick up your cell phone!)

Examples

Examples of Contestar in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Contesta la llamada! (Answer the call!)

Cuando el profesor pregunte, contesten con confianza. (When the teacher asks, answer confidently.)

En la reunión, contestemos las dudas de los clientes. (In the meeting, let’s answer the clients’ questions.)

Oye, ¿puedes contestar el teléfono? (Hey, can you answer the phone?)

Antes de salir, contesten el cuestionario de satisfacción. (Before leaving, answer the satisfaction survey.)

En el examen, contesta con cuidado y revisa tus respuestas. (On the exam, answer carefully and review your answers.)

¿Podrías contestar algunas preguntas sobre tu experiencia laboral? (Could you answer some questions about your work experience?)

En la entrevista, contesten con honestidad y confianza. (In the interview, answer honestly and confidently.)

Si no sabes la respuesta, no te preocupes, solo contesta “No sé”. (If you don’t know the answer, don’t worry, just answer “I don’t know”.)

Cuando el policía te haga preguntas, contesta con calma y claridad. (When the police officer asks you questions, answer calmly and clearly.)

En la clase de español, contestemos las preguntas del profesor en voz alta. (In the Spanish class, let’s answer the teacher’s questions out loud.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Contestar (to answer) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperative mood is also known as the Command Form, Affirmative Command Mood, or Direct Command Form in English, and as Modo Imperativo, Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, or Forma de Mandato in Spanish.