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contaste

kon-TAHS-teh/konˈtaste/

you counted

Also: you tallied
VerbA1stem-changing (o>ue in present tense), regular in preterite ar
A child focused on counting a stack of red wooden blocks on a wooden table.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando
past Participlecontado

📝 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

you told

Also: you narrated
VerbA2past tense conjugation of 'contar' ar
A speaker enthusiastically telling a story to a rapt listener seated opposite them.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando
past Participlecontado

📝 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

you relied on

Also: you counted on
VerbB1past tense conjugation of 'contar' ar
A smaller figure leaning heavily onto a larger, stable figure for support, illustrating reliance.
infinitivecontar
gerundcontando
past Participlecontado

📝 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

🔄 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 →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "contaste" in Spanish:

you counted→you narrated→you tallied→you told→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
gastastellegaste
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb *computāre*, meaning 'to calculate' or 'to reckon'. This root explains both the meaning of counting numbers and the meaning of relating (reckoning) a story.

First recorded: 10th century (as 'contar')

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: contasteFrench: compter

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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.