The Subjunctive Mood of Contestar is used to express wishes, desires, or uncertainty about responding or answering something, for example: Espero que contestes la pregunta con sinceridad. (I hope you answer the question sincerely.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Contestar (to answer) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Latin American Spanish):

The present subjunctive of contestar is used to express desires, doubts, emotions, and hypothetical situations.

To answer or reply: For example, Es importante que contestes todas las preguntas. (It’s important that you answer all the questions.)

To respond or react: For example, No contestes de esa manera grosera. (Don’t respond in that rude way.)

To talk back or sass (colloquial): For example, ¡No me contestes así, jovencito! (Don’t talk back to me like that, young man!)

To stand up to or confront: For example, Si te contesta, no le tengas miedo. (If he confronts you, don’t be afraid of him.)

Examples

Examples of Contestar in the Subjunctive Mood

Es importante que contestes con sinceridad en la entrevista de trabajo. (It’s important that you answer sincerely in the job interview.)

El profesor quiere que contestemos las preguntas del examen sin consultar nuestros apuntes. (The teacher wants us to answer the exam questions without consulting our notes.)

Aunque no sepas la respuesta, es mejor que contestes algo en lugar de dejar la pregunta en blanco. (Even if you don’t know the answer, it’s better that you answer something instead of leaving the question blank.)

Mamá insistió en que contestemos todas las llamadas de la abuela con paciencia. (Mom insisted that we answer all of grandma’s calls patiently.)

El juez ordenó que el acusado conteste con la verdad. (The judge ordered that the accused answer truthfully.)

Espero que contesten el correo electrónico lo antes posible. (I hope they answer the email as soon as possible.)

Es necesario que contestes las preguntas de seguridad para recuperar tu contraseña. (It’s necessary that you answer the security questions to recover your password.)

El instructor sugirió que contestemos las preguntas del cuestionario con nuestras propias palabras. (The instructor suggested that we answer the questionnaire questions in our own words.)

Independientemente de lo que pregunten, es crucial que contestes con honestidad. (Regardless of what they ask, it’s crucial that you answer honestly.)

Antes de que te vayas, ¿podrías asegurarte de que contesten el teléfono? (Before you leave, could you make sure they answer the phone?)

Para aprobar el examen, es fundamental que contestes todas las preguntas correctamente. (To pass the exam, it’s essential that you answer all the questions correctly.)

Ojalá que contesten el correo electrónico pronto, estoy esperando una respuesta urgente. (I hope they answer the email soon, I’m waiting for an urgent response.)

Aunque te parezca una pregunta tonta, es mejor que contestes con respeto. (Even if it seems like a silly question, it’s better that you answer respectfully.)

El abogado recomendó que su cliente conteste con cautela durante el interrogatorio. (The lawyer recommended that his client answer cautiously during the interrogation.)

Sería genial que contesten la encuesta de satisfacción del cliente. (It would be great if they answer the customer satisfaction survey.)

Conjugations with English Translations

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

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

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.