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contest and Spanish contestar
In English
contest
a competition
In Spanish
contestar
responder
Spanish "contestar" means: to answer
Why they get mixed up Spanish "contestar" means to answer or respond to something. English "contest" means to compete in a competition, or to formally dispute a decision. "To answer" in English is "answer" or "reply."
If you want to say...
- contestconcurso
- to answercontestar
- to disputeimpugnar
Examples
She won the singing contest.
Ganó el concurso de canto.
They entered a photo contest.
Participaron en un concurso de fotografía.
There's a cooking contest at school on Friday.
El viernes hay un concurso de cocina en la escuela.
He decided to contest the election result.
Decidió impugnar el resultado de la elección.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: No contesté la elección.
Correct: No impugné la elección.
Contestar means to answer. To contest (dispute), use impugnar or disputar.
Incorrect: Ganamos el contest de baile.
Correct: Ganamos el concurso de baile.
"Contest" is not Spanish. Use concurso or competencia.
Phrases you will hear
- win a contestganar un concurso
- enter a contestparticipar en un concurso
- a beauty contestun concurso de belleza
- contest a decisionimpugnar una decisión
- answer the phonecontestar el teléfono
- a photo contestun concurso de fotos
In a conversation
- A:
I entered a cooking contest.
Me inscribí en un concurso de cocina.
- B:
Did you win?
¿Ganaste?
- A:
No, but I'll contest the result.
No, pero voy a impugnar el resultado.
- B:
Please answer the judge's message first.
Primero contesta el mensaje del juez, por favor.
Test yourself
"A dance contest" is...
To remember it
Contest = a competition. To answer (Spanish "contestar") = answer.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "contestar" mean?
Spanish "contestar" means "to answer". It looks like the English "contest", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "contest" means "a competition".
Does English "contest" mean the same as Spanish "contestar"?
Spanish "contestar" means to answer or respond to something. English "contest" means to compete in a competition, or to formally dispute a decision. "To answer" in English is "answer" or "reply."