canta
“canta” means “sings” in Spanish (He/She/It sings).
sings, singAlso: is singing, Sing!
📝 In Action
Mi hermano canta muy bien en la ducha.
A1My brother sings very well in the shower.
Usted canta la ópera con mucha pasión.
A2You (formal) sing the opera with great passion.
¡Canta una canción para nosotros!
A1Sing a song for us!
La radio canta música pop todo el día.
B1The radio plays pop music all day (figurative use in some regions).
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "canta" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: canta
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'canta' as a command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Comes from the Latin verb *cantāre*, meaning 'to sing' or 'to chant.' It has maintained its core musical meaning throughout history.
First recorded: Old Spanish (around 10th-11th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'canta' the same as 'está cantando'?
They are very similar! 'Canta' (Present Simple) means 'She sings' or 'She sings regularly.' 'Está cantando' (Present Progressive) means 'She is singing right now.' Both describe an action happening in the present, but the progressive form emphasizes that the action is currently in progress.
If I hear 'canta' in a formal setting, who is the subject?
If you are in a formal setting and someone uses 'canta' in a statement, the subject is almost certainly 'usted' (the formal 'you'), or 'él' (he) or 'ella' (she).