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contar

cohn-TARkonˈtaɾ

to count

Also: to total
VerbA1irregular (stem-changing o > ue) ar
A child's hand is pointing sequentially at a row of five bright red apples on a simple wooden table, illustrating the action of counting.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando
past Participlecontado

📝 In Action

El niño está aprendiendo a contar hasta diez.

A1

The child is learning to count up to ten.

¿Puedes contar cuántas sillas tenemos en total?

A1

Can you count how many chairs we have in total?

Contamos veinte invitados, ni uno más.

A2

We counted twenty guests, not one more.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • contar dinero – to count money
  • contar calorías – to count calories

to tell

Also: to relate, to let someone know
VerbA2irregular (stem-changing o > ue) ar
A cozy illustration of an adult person speaking animatedly with expressive hand gestures to two children who are sitting nearby, listening carefully to the story being told.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando
past Participlecontado

📝 In Action

Ella siempre me cuenta historias fascinantes de su viaje.

A2

She always tells me fascinating stories about her trip.

Te voy a contar un secreto, pero prométeme no decírselo a nadie.

B1

I'm going to tell you a secret, but promise me not to tell anyone.

¿Me cuentas qué pasó anoche en la fiesta?

B1

Will you tell me what happened last night at the party?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • narrar (to narrate)
  • chismear (to gossip)

Common Collocations

  • contar un cuento – to tell a tale/story
  • contar un chiste – to tell a joke

to rely on

Also: to matter, to include
VerbB1irregular (stem-changing o > ue) ar
A simple depiction of a small human figure leaning securely and trustingly against the back of a taller, stable human figure, symbolizing reliance and dependence.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando
past Participlecontado

📝 In Action

Sabes que puedes contar conmigo para lo que necesites.

B1

You know you can rely on me for whatever you need.

En este negocio, la experiencia cuenta mucho.

B2

In this business, experience matters a lot.

Si invitamos a Pedro, ¿contamos con que traiga su coche?

B2

If we invite Pedro, are we counting on him to bring his car?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • contar con alguien – to rely on someone
  • contar con algo – to have something available

🔄 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
yocontara
túcontaras
ellos/ellas/ustedescontaran
nosotroscontáramos
vosotroscontarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contar

Question 1 of 3

Which translation of 'contar' is correct in the sentence: 'Siempre cuento con mi hermana.'

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
el cuento(the story/tale) — Noun
el contador(the counter (person or device)) — Noun
contable(countable / accountant) — Adjective / Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'contar' comes from the Latin verb *computāre*, which originally meant 'to sum up' or 'to calculate.' This root gives rise to all three modern meanings: counting, calculating (reliability), and relating a tale (a summed-up account).

First recorded: Around the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: to computeFrench: compterPortuguese: contar

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'contar' means 'to count' or 'to tell'?

Look at the direct object! If you are 'contando' numbers or objects (apples, money), it means 'to count'. If you are 'contando' a story, a joke, or a secret, it means 'to tell'.

Is 'contar' a regular verb?

No, 'contar' is an irregular verb. It has a stem change where the 'o' in the middle turns into 'ue' in most forms of the present tense (like 'yo cuento', 'tú cuentas'), but not in the 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' forms.