respondente

Respondente is a term in Portuguese that functions as a noun meaning “the person who responds” or “the respondent.” It is used in contexts where someone provides an answer or reaction to a question, claim, or petition. The word can be used for both genders, and the plural form is respondentes.

In legal contexts, particularly within civil procedure in Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions, the respondente is the party who answers a lawsuit or petition. The respondent is summoned to present a defense to the claim, acting opposite the autor (the plaintiff or applicant). The exact terminology and role can vary by country and legal system; some jurisdictions use terms such as réu (defendant) or contestante in related procedures.

In research and statistics, a respondente is the individual who provides answers to a questionnaire or interview. Data gathered from respondents form the basis of analyses in surveys, polls, and studies. Important considerations in this context include sampling, response rate, and potential biases arising from nonresponse or misreporting.

Etymology and related uses: respondente derives from the Latin respondens, the present participle of respondere, meaning “answering.” As a noun and adjective, it appears in various formal and technical registers, always linked to the act of answering or replying in a given situation.