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contaba

kohn-TAH-bah/konˈtaba/

was counting, used to count

Also: was numbering
VerbA1regular (in this tense) ar
A young child sitting and carefully counting their fingers using both hands, focusing intently on the task.
past Participlecontado
gerundcontando
infinitivecontar

📝 In Action

Mi abuela contaba las monedas en la caja fuerte.

A1

My grandmother was counting the coins in the safe.

Antes, yo contaba hasta diez antes de enojarme.

A2

Before, I used to count to ten before getting angry.

was telling, used to tell

Also: was relating, was narrating
VerbA2regular (in this tense) ar
An adult sitting on a stool, leaning forward and speaking enthusiastically to two children sitting on the floor. Simple, colorful lines emanate from the adult's mouth, illustrating the narrative.

📝 In Action

El profesor contaba chistes malos todos los lunes.

A2

The professor used to tell bad jokes every Monday.

¿Qué te contaba tu hermana sobre su viaje?

B1

What was your sister telling you about her trip?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • narraba (was narrating)
  • relataba (was relating)

Common Collocations

  • contaba la leyenda – the legend told

was relying on, was counting on

Also: was depending on
VerbB1regular (in this tense) ar
A simplified figure standing and leaning all their weight onto a very large, sturdy, gray stone column, looking relaxed and supported.

📝 In Action

Yo contaba con que llegarías a tiempo.

B1

I was counting on you arriving on time.

Él contaba con el apoyo de su familia para estudiar.

B2

He relied on his family's support to study.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dependía (was depending)

Common Collocations

  • contaba con la ayuda – was counting on the help

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcontara/contase
yocontara/contase
ellos/ellas/ustedescontaran/contasen
túcontaras/contases
vosotroscontarais/contaseis
nosotroscontáramos/contásemos

present

él/ella/ustedcuente
yocuente
ellos/ellas/ustedescuenten
túcuentes
vosotroscontéis
nosotroscontemos

indicative

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcontaba
yocontaba
ellos/ellas/ustedescontaban
túcontabas
vosotroscontabais
nosotroscontábamos

present

él/ella/ustedcuenta
yocuento
ellos/ellas/ustedescuentan
túcuentas
vosotroscontáis
nosotroscontamos

preterite

él/ella/ustedcontó
yoconté
ellos/ellas/ustedescontaron
túcontaste
vosotroscontasteis
nosotroscontamos
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contaba

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'contaba' is used in the sentence: 'Mi jefe contaba con mi presencia en la reunión.'

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
contar(to count / to tell) — Verb
el cuento(the story / the tale) — Noun
la cuenta(the count / the bill / the account) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'contar' comes from the Latin word *computāre*, meaning 'to calculate' or 'to reckon.' This origin explains why the Spanish verb evolved to cover both the mathematical meaning ('to count') and the narrative meaning ('to recount' or 'to tell').

First recorded: 10th century (as *contar*)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: contavaFrench: compter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'contaba' mean both 'was counting' and 'was telling'?

The verb 'contar' comes from a Latin root meaning 'to calculate or reckon.' This led to two related ideas: organizing numbers (counting) and organizing information/events (telling a story or recounting facts). Context always clarifies which meaning is intended.

What is the difference between 'contaba' and 'contó'?

Both are past tense, but 'contaba' (Imperfect) describes a continuous action ('I was counting') or a habit ('I used to count'). 'Contó' (Preterite) describes a single, finished action ('He counted/told once').