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contarme

cohn-TAR-meh/konˈtaɾme/

“contarme” means “to tell me” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to tell me

Also: to narrate to me
VerbA1irregular (stem-changing o > ue in certain forms) ar
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing a small child leaning in and whispering a secret into the ear of a seated adult, who is listening intently.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando (telling me: contándome)
past Participlecontado

📝 In Action

¿Puedes contarme qué pasó anoche?

A1

Can you tell me what happened last night?

Tienes que contarme todos los detalles.

A2

You have to tell me all the details.

Me gustaría que vinieras a contarme tu viaje.

B1

I would like you to come and tell me about your trip.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • decirme (to tell me)
  • informarme (to inform me)

Common Collocations

  • contarme un chiste – to tell me a joke
  • contarme un secreto – to tell me a secret

to count me in

Also: to include me
VerbB1irregular (stem-changing o > ue in certain forms) ar
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration depicting four diverse hands stacking on top of each other in the center, symbolizing inclusion and agreement in a group activity.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando
past Participlecontado

📝 In Action

Si hay un viaje, puedes contarme.

B1

If there's a trip, you can count me in.

No olvides contarme para el equipo de fútbol.

B2

Don't forget to count me in for the soccer team.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • incluirme (to include me)

Antonyms

  • excluirme (to exclude me)

Common Collocations

  • contar con alguien – to rely on someone

Idioms & Expressions

  • Contar las estrellas – To attempt something impossible or endless.

🔄 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 →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: contarme

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'contarme' in the sense of 'to count me in'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
contar(to tell / to count) — Verb
el cuento(the story / the tale) — Noun
el contador(the counter / the accountant) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
amarmellamarme
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'computāre,' meaning 'to calculate' or 'to count.' Over time, the meaning expanded to include the idea of recounting events or telling a story, linking calculation with narration.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: contarFrench: compter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'contarme' written as one word?

'Contarme' is the infinitive form of the verb ('contar') joined with the direct or indirect object pronoun ('me'). In Spanish, when a verb is in the infinitive, gerund (-ing form), or affirmative command, the pronouns must stick directly onto the end, forming a single word.

Does 'contarme' always mean 'to tell me'?

No. While 'to tell me' is the most common use, 'contarme' can also mean 'to count me (in),' especially when discussing plans or participation. Context will usually make the meaning clear.