When you want to express the idea of reaching out or getting in touch with someone in Spanish, you'll often use the verb contactar. It's a straightforward verb that directly translates to "to contact."
For example, if you need to talk to a friend, you could say "Necesito contactar a mi amigo." This means "I need to contact my friend." You can also use it in a more formal context, like "Voy a contactar al servicio al cliente" (I'm going to contact customer service).
Remember that in Spanish, you often use the personal 'a' before a direct object that is a person, which is why you see "contactar a mi amigo" or "contactar al servicio al cliente."
§ What 'contactar' Means
- DEFINITION
- To get in touch or communicate with someone.
The Spanish verb contactar is straightforward. It means 'to contact,' 'to get in touch,' or 'to communicate with someone.' You use it just like you would in English when you want to establish communication with another person or group. It's a very common verb, especially in everyday conversations and professional settings.
§ When to Use 'Contactar'
You'll use contactar in a variety of situations. Here are some common ones:
- When you need to reach out to someone for information or help.
- When you want to schedule a meeting or an appointment.
- When you're trying to reconnect with an old friend or acquaintance.
- In business contexts, when you need to communicate with clients, colleagues, or suppliers.
- When referring to making contact via phone, email, or social media.
It's a versatile verb that fits many scenarios where you're initiating or attempting communication.
Necesito contactar al servicio al cliente. (I need to contact customer service.)
Here, 'contactar' is used to express the need to reach out to a specific department for assistance.
¿Pudiste contactar a María? (Were you able to contact María?)
This example shows asking if communication with a person was successfully established.
You can also use contactar reflexively as 'contactarse,' meaning 'to get in touch with each other' or 'to contact oneself' (though the latter is less common). When used reflexively, it often implies a mutual effort to communicate or a direct connection being made.
Nos contactaremos la próxima semana. (We will contact each other next week.)
This shows a future action where two or more parties will initiate communication with each other.
Keep in mind that contactar is often followed by the preposition 'con' when specifying *who* is being contacted, especially in its reflexive form, but it's not always mandatory. For instance, you can say 'contactar a alguien' (to contact someone) directly. However, 'contactarse con alguien' (to get in touch with someone) is also very common.
Intenté contactar con ellos por teléfono. (I tried to contact them by phone.)
Here, 'con ellos' specifies the group being contacted. Both usages are correct and widely accepted. The key is understanding that contactar is all about making that connection or reaching out.
§ Understanding "Contactar"
The Spanish verb "contactar" means 'to get in touch with' or 'to contact' someone. It's pretty straightforward, just like in English. You'll hear it a lot in everyday conversations and business settings.
- Meaning
- To get in touch or communicate with someone.
§ Basic Conjugation of "Contactar"
"Contactar" is a regular -ar verb. This means its conjugations follow a predictable pattern. Here are some common conjugations in the present tense:
- Yo contacto (I contact)
- Tú contactas (You contact - informal)
- Él/Ella/Usted contacta (He/She contacts, You contact - formal)
- Nosotros/Nosotras contactamos (We contact)
- Vosotros/Vosotras contactáis (You all contact - informal, used in Spain)
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes contactan (They contact, You all contact - formal/used in Latin America)
§ Using "Contactar" with Prepositions
When you want to say who you are contacting, you generally use the preposition "con" (with) after "contactar."
Necesito contactar con el servicio al cliente. (I need to contact customer service.)
Ella contacta con sus amigos cada semana. (She contacts her friends every week.)
However, sometimes you'll see "contactar" used directly without "con," especially when the direct object is a person or people. Both are acceptable, but "contactar con" is very common and often preferred for clarity.
Voy a contactar a mi jefe. (I am going to contact my boss.)
§ Examples in Different Tenses
Let's look at how "contactar" works in other common tenses:
Preterite (Past Simple)
Ayer contacté con ellos por teléfono. (Yesterday I contacted them by phone.)
Future Simple
Te contactaré mañana para confirmar. (I will contact you tomorrow to confirm.)
Conditional
Si tuviera su número, la contactaría ahora mismo. (If I had her number, I would contact her right now.)
§ Common Phrases with "Contactar"
Here are some common ways you'll hear and use "contactar":
- Contactar por correo electrónico: To contact by email
- Contactar por teléfono: To contact by phone
- Contactar a alguien: To contact someone (less common but still used)
- Contactar con alguien: To contact someone (very common)
Puedes contactarnos por medio de nuestra página web. (You can contact us through our website.)
Es importante contactar con un médico si tienes síntomas. (It's important to contact a doctor if you have symptoms.)
Keep practicing "contactar" in different sentences, and you'll get comfortable using it naturally in no time!
§ Don't confuse it with "tocar"
Many English speakers, when they hear "contactar," immediately think of "contact" as in physical touch. While the words are related historically, in modern Spanish, "contactar" almost exclusively means to get in touch or communicate. If you want to say "to touch," you need to use "tocar."
- DEFINITION
- To get in touch or communicate with someone.
Necesito contactar con mi banco. (I need to get in touch with my bank.)
No toques el cuadro. (Don't touch the painting.)
§ Using the right preposition
When you use "contactar," you often need a preposition to introduce the person or entity you're contacting. The most common prepositions are "con" (with) or, less frequently, "a" (to). "Con" is generally safer and more common.
Contactar con: This is the most natural and widely used construction. It means to get in touch with someone or something.
Quiero contactar con el servicio de atención al cliente. (I want to get in touch with customer service.)
Contactar a: While less common for general communication, you might hear or see "contactar a" when referring to contacting a person directly, especially in certain regions or formal contexts. However, "contactar con" is almost always acceptable.
La policía intentó contactar a los testigos. (The police tried to contact the witnesses.)
§ Direct object vs. indirect object
In Spanish, some verbs that take a direct object in English might require an indirect object (with a preposition) in Spanish. With "contactar," the person or entity you contact is generally the direct object, especially when using it transitively without a preposition, though this usage is less common than with "con."
However, as we just discussed, using "con" makes it function more like an indirect object construction in terms of structure, even though the meaning remains direct communication.
Podemos contactar a Juan por correo electrónico. (We can contact Juan by email.) - Here, "Juan" is the direct object, but "a" is used because it's a person (personal "a").
Prefiero contactar con Juan. (I prefer to contact Juan.) - This is more common and uses "con."
§ Avoiding redundancy
Sometimes learners might overcomplicate sentences by adding unnecessary words. "Contactar" already implies communication, so you don't need to add words like "comunicar" or "hablar" alongside it, unless you're trying to convey a very specific nuance.
Incorrect: Necesito contactar y hablar con mi jefe. (I need to contact and speak with my boss.)
Correct: Necesito contactar con mi jefe. (I need to contact my boss.)
Guia de pronúncia
- Misplacing the stress on an earlier syllable.
- Pronouncing the 'c' like an 's' instead of a 'k' sound.
Nível de dificuldade
short
short
short
short
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Exemplos por nível
Necesito contactar a mi jefe para informarle sobre mi ausencia hoy.
I need to contact my boss to inform him about my absence today.
Using 'a' before 'mi jefe' because it's a direct object referring to a person.
Puedes contactarme por teléfono o correo electrónico si tienes alguna pregunta.
You can contact me by phone or email if you have any questions.
The reflexive pronoun 'me' indicates 'me' as the direct object of 'contactar'.
Intenté contactar a la aerolínea, pero no pude hablar con nadie.
I tried to contact the airline, but I couldn't speak to anyone.
Past tense 'intenté' (I tried) and 'pude' (I was able to).
Es importante contactar al servicio de atención al cliente si tu paquete no llega.
It's important to contact customer service if your package doesn't arrive.
Using the infinitive 'contactar' after 'Es importante'.
Por favor, contacta a Sofía para confirmar los detalles de la reunión.
Please, contact Sofía to confirm the details of the meeting.
Formal imperative 'contacta' (contact).
Me gustaría contactar con algunos colegas antiguos de mi universidad.
I would like to get in touch with some old colleagues from my university.
Using 'contactar con' is also common, especially when meaning 'to get in touch with'.
Si experimentas algún problema técnico, no dudes en contactar a nuestro equipo de soporte.
If you experience any technical problems, don't hesitate to contact our support team.
Subjunctive 'experimentes' for a hypothetical situation in a conditional clause.
Han intentado contactar contigo varias veces, pero tu teléfono estaba apagado.
They have tried to contact you several times, but your phone was off.
Perfect tense 'han intentado' (they have tried) and 'contigo' (with you).
Para cualquier consulta, no duden en contactar a nuestro equipo de soporte técnico, disponible 24/7.
For any inquiries, do not hesitate to contact our technical support team, available 24/7.
Here, 'contactar' is used with the preposition 'a' when referring to a person or team being contacted. 'No duden' is the formal plural imperative.
Después de la reunión, contactaremos a los proveedores para negociar los términos del nuevo contrato.
After the meeting, we will contact the suppliers to negotiate the terms of the new contract.
Again, 'contactaremos a' shows the direct object is a person/people. 'Negociar' is an infinitive expressing purpose.
Es crucial contactar a la embajada inmediatamente si pierdes tu pasaporte en el extranjero.
It is crucial to contact the embassy immediately if you lose your passport abroad.
The impersonal 'Es crucial' followed by an infinitive is a common structure for expressing importance. 'Si pierdes' uses the present tense for a future condition.
Intenté contactar a mi jefe varias veces, pero su teléfono estaba apagado o fuera de cobertura.
I tried to contact my boss several times, but his phone was off or out of coverage.
'Intenté contactar' is a common construction for 'I tried to contact'. 'Estaba apagado o fuera de cobertura' uses the imperfect tense to describe a state in the past.
Antes de tomar cualquier decisión, sería prudente contactar a un asesor legal para obtener orientación.
Before making any decision, it would be prudent to contact a legal advisor for guidance.
'Sería prudente' uses the conditional to express a recommendation. 'Para obtener' indicates purpose.
La empresa se comprometió a contactar a todos los candidatos seleccionados para las entrevistas finales.
The company committed to contacting all selected candidates for the final interviews.
'Se comprometió a contactar' means 'committed to contacting'. 'Seleccionados' is a past participle used as an adjective.
Si necesitas más información sobre el programa, puedes contactar directamente con la secretaría académica.
If you need more information about the program, you can contact directly with the academic secretariat.
Here, 'contactar con' is used, which is also correct, especially when emphasizing communication 'with' someone. 'Puedes' indicates possibility/ability.
Los investigadores están intentando contactar a las familias afectadas por el desastre natural para ofrecerles ayuda.
Researchers are trying to contact the families affected by the natural disaster to offer them help.
'Están intentando contactar' is the present progressive form for 'are trying to contact'. 'Afectadas por' indicates the cause of the affection.
Para cualquier consulta, no duden en contactar a nuestro equipo de soporte técnico, disponible las 24 horas del día, los siete días de la semana.
For any query, do not hesitate to contact our technical support team, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Here, 'contactar' is used with the preposition 'a' when referring to a person or group of people as the object of the action.
Hemos intentado contactar con la administración en varias ocasiones para resolver el problema, pero no hemos recibido respuesta.
We have tried to get in touch with the administration on several occasions to resolve the problem, but we haven't received a response.
'Contactar con' is another common construction, particularly in Spain, to express 'to get in touch with'.
Después de su viaje, prometió contactarme para contarme todos los detalles de su aventura.
After her trip, she promised to contact me to tell me all the details of her adventure.
In this instance, 'contactar' is used directly with a direct object pronoun ('me') referring to the person being contacted.
Es fundamental contactar a los proveedores con suficiente antelación para asegurar la disponibilidad de los materiales.
It is essential to contact the suppliers with enough anticipation to ensure the availability of the materials.
Again, 'contactar a' is used when the object is a person or entity.
La empresa se comprometió a contactar a los clientes afectados por la interrupción del servicio para ofrecerles una compensación.
The company committed to contacting the customers affected by the service interruption to offer them compensation.
The verb 'contactar' can also be followed by a direct object pronoun referring to the people being contacted.
Si necesitas más información sobre el proyecto, puedes contactar al gerente de departamento directamente.
If you need more information about the project, you can contact the department manager directly.
Here, 'contactar al' (a + el) is used as 'al' is a contraction of 'a el'.
Me gustaría contactar con expertos en energías renovables para discutir posibles colaboraciones.
I would like to get in touch with experts in renewable energies to discuss possible collaborations.
'Contactar con' emphasizes the idea of making a connection or communication with someone.
Intentaremos contactar con todas las partes interesadas para llegar a un consenso sobre la propuesta.
We will try to contact all interested parties to reach a consensus on the proposal.
This example reinforces the use of 'contactar con' when referring to engaging with multiple individuals or groups.
Padrões gramaticais
Padrões de frases
Yo necesito contactar [persona].
Yo necesito contactar a mi amigo. (I need to contact my friend.)
¿Puedes contactar [persona]?
¿Puedes contactar al servicio al cliente? (Can you contact customer service?)
Quiero contactar a [persona] para [razón].
Quiero contactar a mi jefe para discutir el proyecto. (I want to contact my boss to discuss the project.)
Si necesitas ayuda, puedes contactarme.
Si necesitas ayuda, puedes contactarme. (If you need help, you can contact me.)
Me gustaría contactar con [persona] por [medio].
Me gustaría contactar con ellos por correo electrónico. (I would like to contact them by email.)
Hemos intentado contactar a [persona] varias veces.
Hemos intentado contactar a la compañía varias veces. (We have tried to contact the company several times.)
Es crucial contactar a [persona] antes de [evento].
Es crucial contactar a todos los participantes antes de la reunión. (It is crucial to contact all participants before the meeting.)
Te recomiendo contactar a un experto para [problema].
Te recomiendo contactar a un experto para resolver el problema. (I recommend contacting an expert to solve the problem.)
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Professional Communication
- Necesito contactar a mi jefe. (I need to contact my boss.)
- Ella contactó a su cliente por correo electrónico. (She contacted her client by email.)
- Me gustaría contactar al departamento de ventas. (I would like to contact the sales department.)
Making Plans
- Contactaré contigo para organizar la reunión. (I will get in touch with you to organize the meeting.)
- ¿Has contactado a tus amigos para la cena? (Have you contacted your friends for dinner?)
- Podemos contactarnos por WhatsApp. (We can communicate via WhatsApp.)
Seeking Help/Information
- Debes contactar al servicio de atención al cliente. (You should contact customer service.)
- Contacta a la policía si ves algo sospechoso. (Contact the police if you see something suspicious.)
- ¿A quién puedo contactar para más información? (Who can I contact for more information?)
After an Event/Encounter
- Ella me contactó después de la conferencia. (She contacted me after the conference.)
- No te olvides de contactarme cuando llegues. (Don't forget to contact me when you arrive.)
- Me contactó para agradecer la ayuda. (He contacted me to thank me for the help.)
General Communication
- Es fácil contactar con él. (It's easy to get in touch with him.)
- Intento contactarte, pero no contestas. (I'm trying to contact you, but you're not answering.)
- Siempre puedes contactarme si tienes preguntas. (You can always contact me if you have questions.)
Iniciadores de conversa
"¿Con quién necesitas contactar hoy?"
"¿Cuál es la mejor manera de contactarte?"
"¿Prefieres contactar a la gente por teléfono o por correo electrónico?"
"¿Has tenido alguna dificultad para contactar a alguien recientemente?"
"Si tuvieras que contactar a un famoso, ¿a quién sería y por qué?"
Temas para diário
Describe una situación en la que necesitaste contactar a alguien urgentemente. ¿Cómo lo hiciste?
Piensa en un momento en que alguien te contactó y te alegraste. ¿Qué pasó?
¿Qué métodos usas más a menudo para contactar a tus amigos y familiares?
Imagina que quieres contactar a un viejo amigo. ¿Cómo empezarías la conversación?
Escribe sobre una persona a la que te gustaría contactar en el futuro y por qué.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntas'Contactar' specifically means to make contact or get in touch, often implying an initial reach-out. 'Comunicar' is broader and means to communicate or inform, which can be ongoing. Think of 'contactar' as the act of initiating a connection, while 'comunicar' is the act of sharing information.
Yes, 'contactar' in Spanish typically uses the personal 'a' when referring to a person. So it's 'contactar a alguien' (to contact someone) or 'contactar con alguien' (to get in touch with someone). Both are common and correct.
You primarily use 'contactar' for people or organizations. You wouldn't typically 'contactar' an object. For inanimate things, you might use verbs like 'tocar' (to touch) or 'conectar' (to connect).
A common mistake is forgetting the personal 'a' when referring to a person. You must say 'Necesito contactar a mi jefe' (I need to contact my boss), not 'Necesito contactar mi jefe'.
'Contactar' is quite neutral. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. You can use it in a business email or when talking to a friend.
Yes, other similar verbs include 'ponerse en contacto con' (to get in touch with), 'llamar' (to call), or 'escribir' (to write). 'Contactar' is often a good general option.
Absolutely! 'Contactar a la empresa' (to contact the company) or 'contactar con el servicio al cliente' (to contact customer service) are perfect uses of the word.
You would say 'Te contactaré' (I will contact you - informal) or 'Le contactaré' (I will contact you - formal). Remember the direct object pronoun.
You'll most commonly see 'contactar a' (when the object is a person) or 'contactar con' (to get in touch with, also used with people/organizations). Both are widely used.
No, 'contactar' is specifically about communication or getting in touch with someone. For physical contact, you would use verbs like 'tocar' (to touch) or 'entrar en contacto físico' (to make physical contact).
Teste-se 24 perguntas
This sentence means 'I want to contact my friend.' The verb 'contactar' is used to express getting in touch.
This sentence means 'She needs to contact the doctor.' Remember that 'al' is a contraction of 'a el'.
This is a question asking 'Can you contact Maria?'
Choose the best translation for 'contactar'.
The Spanish verb 'contactar' means to get in touch or communicate with someone.
¿Cómo se dice 'I need to contact my friend' en español?
The verb 'contactar' is used to express getting in touch with someone. The 'a' is used before a direct object when it refers to a person.
Which sentence correctly uses 'contactar'?
'Contactar' is used when getting in touch with people, not inanimate objects.
'Contactar' can be used to say 'to communicate with someone'.
Yes, 'contactar' means to get in touch or communicate with someone.
You can use 'contactar' to mean 'to clean a house'.
No, 'contactar' is specifically about getting in touch or communicating with people, not cleaning.
The sentence 'Voy a contactar a mi jefe' means 'I am going to contact my boss'.
Yes, 'Voy a contactar a mi jefe' correctly uses 'contactar' to express contacting a boss.
Imagine you need to contact a friend to make plans for the weekend. Write a short message in Spanish. What would you say?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hola, ¿quieres contactar para hacer planes este fin de semana?
You want to contact a new coworker to ask a question about a project. Write a short email in Spanish. What would you write?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hola [Nombre del compañero], quería contactarte para una pregunta sobre el proyecto.
Your car broke down and you need to contact a mechanic. Write a brief sentence in Spanish explaining the situation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Necesito contactar a un mecánico porque mi coche está averiado.
¿Por qué Ana quiere contactar a su hermana?
Read this passage:
Ana necesita contactar a su hermana para una emergencia. Va a llamarla por teléfono. Es importante que hable con ella hoy.
¿Por qué Ana quiere contactar a su hermana?
The passage states 'Ana necesita contactar a su hermana para una emergencia.'
The passage states 'Ana necesita contactar a su hermana para una emergencia.'
¿Cómo puedes contactar al profesor si tienes preguntas?
Read this passage:
Si tienes preguntas sobre el curso, puedes contactar al profesor por correo electrónico. Él responde a todos los mensajes.
¿Cómo puedes contactar al profesor si tienes preguntas?
The passage says 'puedes contactar al profesor por correo electrónico.'
The passage says 'puedes contactar al profesor por correo electrónico.'
¿Quién quiere contactar a los empleados?
Read this passage:
El director quiere contactar a todos los empleados para una reunión importante el lunes. La reunión es a las diez de la mañana.
¿Quién quiere contactar a los empleados?
The passage states 'El director quiere contactar a todos los empleados.'
The passage states 'El director quiere contactar a todos los empleados.'
Choose the best synonym for 'contactar'.
'Contactar' means to get in touch or communicate, so 'comunicar' (to communicate) is the closest synonym.
Which sentence correctly uses 'contactar'?
'Contactar' is a verb that needs to be conjugated. 'Voy a contactar' (I am going to contact) is the correct form here. The other options use incorrect verb forms or misuse the word.
If you need to reach out to a professional for advice, you would say:
You 'contact' a person or entity. 'Contactar a un experto' (to contact an expert) is the correct usage.
You can use 'contactar' to talk about touching an object.
'Contactar' is primarily used for communication or getting in touch with someone, not for physical contact with inanimate objects. For physical contact, you'd typically use 'tocar'.
The phrase 'Necesito contactar a mi jefe' means 'I need to communicate with my boss'.
Yes, 'contactar' in this context means to get in touch or communicate with someone, so the translation is correct.
It is incorrect to say 'contactar por correo electrónico' (to contact by email).
It is perfectly correct to use 'contactar por' followed by the method of communication, such as 'contactar por correo electrónico' or 'contactar por teléfono'.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Exemplo
Necesito contactar a mi abogado urgentemente.
Conteúdo relacionado
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
Frases relacionadas
Mais palavras de communication
acento
A2A distinctive manner of pronunciation; a stress on a syllable.
aceptar
A1To accept.
acerca de
A2On the subject of; regarding; about.
acertado
A2Correct, appropriate, or well-chosen.
aclaración
A2Clarification, the action of making something clearer.
aclarar
B1To make something clearer or easier to understand; to clarify.
aconsejar
A2To advise; to give counsel or guidance.
acuerdo
A2An agreement or a mutual understanding.
de acuerdo
A1okay, agreed
Adiós
A1Goodbye
