Inklingo
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A group of three colorful birds perched on a tree branch with their beaks open as if they are singing.

cantan

KAHN-tahn

verbA1regular ar
they sing?referring to a group of people or animals,you all sing?formal way to address a group
Also:birds chirp/sing?when animals make musical sounds

Quick Reference

gerundcantando
past Participlecantado
infinitivecantar

📝 In Action

Mis amigos cantan en una banda de rock.

A1

My friends sing in a rock band.

Ustedes cantan muy hermoso hoy.

A1

You all sing very beautifully today.

Los pájaros cantan por la mañana.

A1

The birds sing in the morning.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • entonan (they intone/sing)
  • gorjean (they chirp (birds))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • cantan victoria – they claim victory
  • cantan a coro – they sing in a choir

Idioms & Expressions

  • cantar las cuarenta – To tell someone off or give them a piece of your mind

💡 Grammar Points

The 'N' Ending

In Spanish, adding an 'n' to the end of a verb usually shows that more than one person (they or you all) is doing the action.

Identifying 'Cantan'

This is the 'now' form (present tense) used for groups. It belongs to the root verb 'cantar'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusion with 'You'

Mistake: "Using 'cantan' to talk to one friend."

Correction: Use 'cantas' for one friend. Use 'cantan' for a group of friends or for 'they'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Polite Plurals

When talking to a group of bosses or strangers (ustedes), use 'cantan' to stay respectful.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedescantaran
yocantara
túcantaras
vosotroscantarais
nosotroscantáramos
él/ella/ustedcantara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedescanten
yocante
túcantes
vosotroscantéis
nosotroscantemos
él/ella/ustedcante

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedescantaron
yocanté
túcantaste
vosotroscantasteis
nosotroscantamos
él/ella/ustedcantó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedescantaban
yocantaba
túcantabas
vosotroscantabais
nosotroscantábamos
él/ella/ustedcantaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedescantan
yocanto
túcantas
vosotroscantáis
nosotroscantamos
él/ella/ustedcanta
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cantan

Question 1 of 2

If 'ellos' are performing a song right now, which word do you use?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cantar(to sing) - verb
canción(song) - noun
cantante(singer) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'cantan' mean 'you sing'?

Yes, but only if you are talking to a group of people (plural 'you'). If you are talking to just one person, you would say 'cantas' or 'canta'.

Is 'cantan' only for people?

No, you can use it for anything that 'sings,' like birds or even metaphorical things like 'the sirens sing' (las sirenas cantan).