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contando

kohn-TAHN-dohkonˈtando

counting

Also: calculating
VerbA1stem-changing (o > ue) in present tense ar
A small child pointing at a row of three colorful blocks laid out on a table, representing the act of counting.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando
past Participlecontado

📝 In Action

El niño está contando los carros rojos que pasan.

A1

The boy is counting the red cars that pass by.

Estuvimos contando hasta cien para calmarnos.

A2

We were counting up to a hundred to calm ourselves down.

telling

Also: recounting
VerbA2gerund of contar ar
An adult sitting comfortably, speaking with an expressive gesture to two attentive children sitting nearby, illustrating storytelling.

📝 In Action

Mi abuela está contando historias de su juventud.

A2

My grandmother is telling stories from her youth.

Ella pasó la noche contando todos sus problemas.

B1

She spent the night recounting all her problems.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • narrando (narrating)
  • relatando (relating)

Idioms & Expressions

  • contando con pelos y señales – telling every detail

relying on

Also: counting on
VerbB1gerund of contar, requires preposition 'con' ar
A small figure leaning securely against a much larger, supportive figure, symbolizing reliance and trust.

📝 In Action

Estamos contando con que llegues a tiempo.

B1

We are counting on you arriving on time.

Contando con el buen clima, iremos a la playa mañana.

B2

Assuming good weather (relying on good weather), we will go to the beach tomorrow.

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

yoconté
túcontaste
él/ella/ustedcontó
nosotroscontamos
vosotroscontasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedescontaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

yocontara/contase
túcontaras/contases
él/ella/ustedcontara/contase
nosotroscontáramos/contásemos
vosotroscontarais/contaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedescontaran/contasen
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contando

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'contando' to mean 'relying on'?

📚 More Resources

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

From the Latin verb *computāre*, meaning 'to calculate' or 'to sum up.' This is why the Spanish word covers both the idea of calculating numbers ('counting') and calculating/recounting events ('telling a story').

First recorded: Around the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: contandoFrench: compter

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'contando' and 'contado'?

'Contando' is the gerund (the -ing form) used for ongoing actions ('is counting/telling'). 'Contado' is the past participle, used after 'haber' (e.g., 'ha contado' - 'has counted/told') or as an adjective (e.g., 'dinero contado' - 'counted money').

Does 'contando' change its spelling depending on who is doing the action?

No. 'Contando' always stays the same, regardless of who is performing the action (I, you, he, we). Only the verb before it (usually 'estar') changes: 'Yo estoy contando,' 'Ellos están contando.'