Want to master “Responder” conjugations fast?

This short audio loop makes it easy to memorize the forms for the Preterite (Past) Tense — just press play.

🔊 Audio plays automatically on a loop – makes memorization easy. While the audio plays, follow the chart below to reinforce what you hear.

Conjugation Chart

“Responder” (to respond) in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Learn Faster with Loop-Based Learning

• 🧠 Activates natural language processing in the brain
• 🔄 Makes conjugations feel automatic
• 📝 Reduces mental effort compared to rote memorization
• 💡 Builds fluency through repetition

Unlike traditional methods that rely on memorizing rules and grammar drills, our approach mimics how native speakers naturally acquire language—by hearing patterns repeatedly in context. This activates your brain’s phonological loop, making verb forms feel familiar and automatic.

To learn more about the science behind this technique, read our detailed article: The Neuroscience of Language Learning: How Listening on a Loop Strengthens Your Fluency

Understanding the Preterite (Past) Tense of “Responder”

The preterite of responder is used to express when someone responded or answered at a specific moment in the past. For example, when you want to say “She responded to my email yesterday” – “Ella respondió a mi correo ayer.”

This is a regular -er verb in the preterite tense. It follows the standard -er conjugation pattern without any stem changes or spelling adjustments.

How to Use Responder in the Preterite (Past) Tense

The Preterite of responder expresses completed responses or reactions.

To respond/answer: Describes giving a specific reply, for example Respondí al correo inmediatamente (I responded to the email immediately), or Respondieron a todas las preguntas (They answered all the questions).

To react: Indicates how someone reacted to a situation, for example El medicamento respondió bien (The medication responded well).

Real Life Examples of Responder in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Respondí al correo inmediatamente. (I responded to the email immediately.)

¿Por qué no respondiste mis mensajes? (Why didn’t you respond to my messages?)

El profesor respondió todas las preguntas. (The professor answered all the questions.)

Respondimos a la invitación. (We responded to the invitation.)

Los estudiantes respondieron correctamente. (The students answered correctly.)

Respondí la llamada tarde. (I answered the call late.)

¿Cómo respondiste a la noticia? (How did you respond to the news?)

Ella respondió con calma. (She responded calmly.)

Respondimos al desafío. (We responded to the challenge.)

Ellos respondieron a la emergencia. (They responded to the emergency.)

No respondí a su pregunta. (I didn’t answer their question.)

Respondiste muy bien en la entrevista. (You responded very well in the interview.)

El equipo respondió con un gol. (The team responded with a goal.)

Respondimos a tiempo. (We responded on time.)

Los médicos respondieron rápidamente. (The doctors responded quickly.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Responder (to respond) in the Preterite (Past) Tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Preterite tense is also known as the Simple Past, Past Simple, Definite Past, Absolute Past, or Past Tense Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Perfecto Simple, Pretérito Indefinido, Pretérito Simple, Pasado Simple, or Pretérito de Indicativo in Spanish.