Forgetting the Stem Change

In the present tense, the 'o' turns into 'ue' when the stress falls on the syllable, except for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros) forms.

The O-UE Change

When you are just listing numbers, use 'contar'. To ask 'How many are there?', use '¿Cuántos hay?'

Direct Counting

Extremely common. This is the primary verb used for enumeration.

Confusing 'Tell' verbs

When 'contar' means 'to tell,' the person receiving the story often takes an indirect object pronoun (like 'me', 'te', 'le', etc.): 'Me cuenta' (He/She tells me).

Who Hears the Story?

If you are sharing a fun personal anecdote or a detailed event, 'contar' is the natural and friendly choice.

Perfect for Anecdotes

Very common, essential for storytelling and sharing information.

Missing CON

When 'contar' means 'to rely on' or 'to have available,' it is almost always followed immediately by the preposition 'con' (with).

Using the Preposition CON

To express that something is important, use the third person singular: 'El dinero no cuenta' (Money doesn't matter).

The 'Matter' meaning

Common in conversational and functional contexts, often used with the preposition 'con'.

Learn the three main meanings of the Spanish verb 'contar': to count (numbers), to tell (stories), and to rely on (contar con). Includes full conjugation and usage tips for all CEFR levels.

Contar Meaning, Conjugation & Usage | InkLingo Spanish Dictionary

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The Spanish verb '{infinitive}' meaning '{translation}'.

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Verb conjugation is the backbone of Spanish communication. Every sentence you speak or write requires at least one conjugated verb, and getting it right determines whether you sound fluent or confused.

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The conditional of contar is regular: contaría, contarías, contaría, contaríamos, contaríais, contarían.

The future tense of contar is regular: contaré, contarás, contará, contaremos, contaréis, contarán.

The imperative of contar uses the stem-changed 'cuenta' for tú and 'cuente' for usted.

The imperfect of contar is regular: contaba, contabas, contaba, contábamos, contabais, contaban.

The imperfect subjunctive of contar is formed from the preterite: contara, contaras, contara, contáramos, contarais, contaran.

Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no cuentes, no cuente, no contemos, no contéis, no cuenten.

Contar is a stem-changing verb (o > ue) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.

The present subjunctive of contar keeps the o > ue stem change: cuente, cuentes, cuente, contemos, contéis, cuenten.

The preterite of contar is regular: conté, contaste, contó, contamos, contasteis, contaron.

contar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

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