contado

/kon-TAH-doh/

counted

A single adult hand pointing at a small, neat row of five colorful wooden blocks, illustrating the action of counting or tallying.

"Contado" means 'counted' or 'tallied'.

contado(Adjective)

mA2

counted

as in, tallied

told

as in, narrated

Also:

story, tale

📝 In Action

Necesito saber si el dinero está contado.

I need to know if the money has been counted.

Esa es una historia muy contada en mi familia.

That is a very often-told story in my family.

Word Connections

Synonyms

numerado (numbered)
relatado (related/narrated)

Common Collocations

tener el tiempo contado – to have limited time

💡 Grammar Points

Participle Agreement

When 'contado' is used as an adjective (not part of a perfect tense with 'haber'), it must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: 'la historia contada' (f.) or 'los días contados' (m. plural).

⭐ Usage Tips

The Source Verb

Remember this word comes from 'contar,' which is a stem-changing verb (o → ue in the present tense: 'yo cuento'). However, the past participle 'contado' is regular.

Two cartoon hands meeting over a counter, one hand is placing a small stack of colorful bills into the palm of the other hand, symbolizing a cash payment.

When referring to payment, "contado" means 'paid in cash'.

contado(Adjective)

mB1

cash

in the sense of 'paid in cash'

upfront

immediate payment

📝 In Action

Si pagas al contado, te hacemos un descuento.

If you pay in cash, we'll give you a discount.

La venta fue hecha al contado.

The sale was made in cash (paid upfront).

Word Connections

Synonyms

en efectivo (in cash)
directo (direct)

Antonyms

a plazos (in installments)

Common Collocations

pago al contado – cash payment

💡 Grammar Points

Fixed Phrase

This meaning is almost always used as part of the prepositional phrase 'al contado' (to the counted), which functions like an adverb modifying the manner of payment.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'contado' alone for cash

Mistake: "Quiero pagar contado."

Correction: You must include the article and preposition: 'Quiero pagar al contado.'

A vast, empty field of green grass with only three small, isolated flowers blooming far apart, visually representing scarcity.

"Contado" can also mean 'scarce' or 'limited in amount'.

contado(Adjective)

mB2

scarce

limited amount

few

small number

Also:

numbered

time is numbered

📝 In Action

Los recursos naturales del planeta son contados.

The planet's natural resources are scarce (limited).

Su tiempo en la empresa estaba contado.

His time at the company was numbered.

Word Connections

Synonyms

escaso (scarce)
limitado (limited)

Antonyms

abundante (abundant)

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

This meaning uses the idea of 'counting' to imply that the total number is known, fixed, and small, suggesting scarcity or an approaching end.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: contado

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'contado' in the financial sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

contar(to count, to tell a story) - verb

cuenta(account, bill, count) - noun

contador(accountant, counter (device)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'contado' the same as 'cuenta'?

No. 'Contado' is the form of the verb 'to count' or 'to tell' (the past participle). 'Cuenta' is the noun form, meaning 'account,' 'bill,' or 'the count' itself.

How do I say 'in cash'?

Always use the full phrase 'al contado' or 'en efectivo'. You cannot use 'contado' by itself to mean cash.