Inklingo
Dictionary

contaste

kon-TAHS-tehkonˈtaste

“contaste” means “you counted” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

you countedA1Verb

past action: numbers, items

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you toldA2Verb

past action: narrating a story or event

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you relied onB1Verb

past action: depending on someone/something

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you countedAlso: 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 toldAlso: 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 onAlso: 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

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

yocontara/contase
túcontaras/contases
él/ella/ustedcontara/contase
nosotroscontáramos/contásemos
vosotroscontarais/contaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedescontaran/contasen
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "contaste" in Spanish:

you countedyou narratedyou talliedyou 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.