Inklingo
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contador

/kon-tah-DOR/

accountant

A professional person in a suit sitting at a desk with a stack of gold coins and a calculator.

A 'contador' is an accountant who manages money and finances.

contador(noun)

mA2

accountant

?

professional who manages money

Also:

bookkeeper

?

person recording financial transactions

📝 In Action

Mi contador dice que debemos pagar los impuestos mañana.

A2

My accountant says we must pay the taxes tomorrow.

Ella quiere ser contadora cuando termine la universidad.

B1

She wants to be an accountant when she finishes university.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • contable (accountant (used more in Spain))

Common Collocations

  • contador público – certified public accountant (CPA)
  • revisar con el contador – to check with the accountant

💡 Grammar Points

Changing for Gender

Even though this entry is for the masculine 'contador,' remember that if the person is female, you change it to 'contadora.'

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing with Computers

Mistake: "Using 'contador' to mean a personal computer."

Correction: Use 'computadora' or 'ordenador' for the machine you type on. A 'contador' is a person or a measuring device.

⭐ Usage Tips

Professional Titles

In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is common and respectful to address your accountant directly as 'Contador' followed by their last name.

A utility meter with a rotating dial and a glass cover attached to an outdoor wall.

A 'contador' can also be a meter used to measure water or electricity.

contador(noun)

mB1

meter

?

device for measuring gas, water, or electricity

Also:

counter

?

something that keeps track of numbers or clicks

📝 In Action

El contador del agua está afuera de la casa.

B1

The water meter is outside the house.

El video tiene un contador de visitas en la esquina.

A2

The video has a view counter in the corner.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • medidor (meter/gauge)

Common Collocations

  • contador de luz – electricity meter
  • contador de pasos – step counter / pedometer

💡 Grammar Points

Measuring Devices

When 'contador' refers to a machine, it is always masculine, regardless of who owns it or where it is.

⭐ Usage Tips

Utility Bills

If someone from the electric company comes to your house, they will ask to see the 'contador.'

An expressive person sitting in a large chair surrounded by a group of listening children.

In a literary sense, a 'contador' is a storyteller who shares tales.

contador(noun)

mB2

storyteller

?

someone who tells tales or jokes

📝 In Action

Era un gran contador de historias y siempre nos hacía reír.

B2

He was a great storyteller and always made us laugh.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • narrador (narrator)
  • cuentacuentos (storyteller)

Common Collocations

  • contador de chistes – joke teller
  • contador de cuentos – storyteller

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: contador

Question 1 of 2

If you want to know how much gas you used this month, what should you look at?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

contar(to count / to tell) - verb
contabilidad(accounting) - noun
cuento(story / tale) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'contador' the same as 'computadora'?

No. While they share the same Latin root, a 'contador' is a person (accountant) or a small meter (like a water meter), while a 'computadora' is a personal computer.

Do I use 'contador' or 'contable' for my accountant?

Both are correct! 'Contador' is more common in Latin America, while 'contable' is very common in Spain. Most people will understand both.