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contando

kohn-TAHN-doh/konˈtando/

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.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

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

imperfect

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

preterite

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

subjunctive

present

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

imperfect

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