Rispondete

Rispondete is the second-person plural form of the Italian verb rispondere in the present tense, most commonly used as the imperative mood to address a group. In this usage, it means “you all answer” or “please answer.” The same form also appears in present indicative sentences with voi as the subject, for example “Voi rispondete spesso,” meaning “You all answer often.” Context determines whether it functions as a command or a simple statement.

Morphology and usage notes: Rispondete is formed from the stem rispond- plus the standard voi ending -ete. In ordinary statements, the voi subject is often explicit or implied. In commands, Rispondete! is a direct instruction to a group. Clitic pronouns can follow the verb, as in Rispondetemi subito (answer me immediately).

Etymology: Rispondete derives from rispondere, from Latin respondere, formed with re- (back, again) plus spondere (to pledge, to promise), evolving into the modern Italian sense of replying or answering.

Usage contexts and variations: The form is common in instructional settings, customer-service communication, dialogues, and written rules or directions directed at multiple people. Since Italian imperatives for voi share the same form as the present indicative, the mood is usually inferred from punctuation and context.

Examples: Rispondete alle domande del test. Rispondete subito, per favore. Rispondetemi domani. Voi rispondete spesso in modo chiaro.

See also: Rispondere, Italian grammar, Imperative mood.