Inklingo
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contaste

/kon-TAHS-teh/

you counted

A child focused on counting a stack of red wooden blocks on a wooden table.

Contaste means "you counted." Here, the child is depicted having just finished counting the blocks.

contaste(verb)

A1stem-changing (o>ue in present tense), regular in preterite ar

you counted

?

past action: numbers, items

Also:

you tallied

?

past action: keeping score

📝 In Action

¿Cuántos libros contaste en la estantería?

A1

How many books did you count on the shelf?

Contaste las monedas rápidamente para ver si eran suficientes.

A2

You counted the coins quickly to see if they were enough.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • numeraste (you numbered)
  • calculaste (you calculated)

Common Collocations

  • contar dinero – to count money
  • contar estrellas – to count stars

💡 Grammar Points

The Preterite Tense

The form 'contaste' tells you that the action of counting was fully finished in the past. It’s a single, completed event.

Identifying 'Tú'

The '-aste' ending is the clearest signal that the person who did the action was 'tú' (you, informal singular).

A speaker enthusiastically telling a story to a rapt listener seated opposite them.

Contaste also means "you told," referring to narrating an event or story.

contaste(verb)

A2past tense conjugation of 'contar' ar

you told

?

past action: narrating a story or event

Also:

you narrated

?

past action: relating details

📝 In Action

¿Qué le contaste a tu jefe sobre el error?

A2

What did you tell your boss about the mistake?

Contaste una historia muy divertida en la fiesta.

B1

You told a really funny story at the party.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dijiste (you said/told (irregular))
  • narraste (you narrated)

Common Collocations

  • contar un secreto – to tell a secret
  • contar un chiste – to tell a joke

💡 Grammar Points

Telling vs. Saying

Use 'contar' for telling a story, a joke, or a detailed account. Use 'decir' for saying simple statements or giving direct quotes.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Contar' and 'Decir'

Mistake: "Contaste que ibas al cine. (You told that you were going to the movies.)"

Correction: Dijiste que ibas al cine. (You said that you were going to the movies.)

A smaller figure leaning heavily onto a larger, stable figure for support, illustrating reliance.

When used reflexively, Contaste means "you relied on" or "you depended on."

contaste(verb)

B1past tense conjugation of 'contar' ar

you relied on

?

past action: depending on someone/something

Also:

you counted on

?

past action: trusting expectation

📝 In Action

Contaste con su apoyo incondicional durante todo el proceso.

B1

You relied on their unconditional support throughout the whole process.

Esperaba que vinieras porque contaste con mi ayuda.

B2

I was waiting for you to come because you counted on my help.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • confiaste (you trusted)
  • dependiste (you depended)

Common Collocations

  • contar con alguien – to count on someone
  • contar con el tiempo – to rely on having time

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Contar con'

To express reliance or expectation, 'contar' always requires the preposition 'con' (with): 'Contaste con [cosa/persona]' (You counted on [thing/person]).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Missing the Preposition

Mistake: "Contaste mi ayuda. (You counted my help.)"

Correction: Contaste con mi ayuda. (You counted on my help.)

🔄 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: contaste

Question 1 of 2

Which English sentence correctly uses the meaning of 'contaste' related to narration?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

contar(to count, to tell) - verb
el cuento(the story, the tale) - noun
la cuenta(the bill, the count, the account) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'contaste' and 'contabas'?

'Contaste' (Preterite) means you finished the action: 'You counted/told (once).' 'Contabas' (Imperfect) means the action was ongoing or habitual in the past: 'You were counting/telling' or 'You used to count/tell.'

Which person and tense is 'contaste'?

'Contaste' is the 'tú' (informal you) form in the preterite tense. It is used for actions you completed in the past.