cuentas
“cuentas” means “accounts” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
accounts, billsAlso: checks, calculations
📝 In Action
Necesito pagar mis cuentas de luz y agua.
A1I need to pay my electricity and water bills.
Tengo dos cuentas de banco, una de ahorro y otra corriente.
A2I have two bank accounts, one savings and one checking.
¡Pide las cuentas! Ya es tarde.
A1Ask for the check! It's already late.
Word Connections
beadsAlso: rosary beads
📝 In Action
El collar está hecho de cuentas de madera.
B1The necklace is made of wooden beads.
Ella ensarta las cuentas para hacer una pulsera.
B2She strings the beads together to make a bracelet.
Word Connections
you count, you tellAlso: you rely (on)
📝 In Action
Tú cuentas los votos y yo anoto los resultados.
A2You count the votes and I write down the results.
¿Le cuentas a alguien este secreto?
B1Are you telling anyone this secret?
¡Cuentas conmigo para lo que necesites!
A2You can count/rely on me for whatever you need!
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "cuentas" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuentas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cuentas' as a noun meaning 'financial responsibilities'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology
Both the noun 'cuentas' (bills/beads) and the verb form 'cuentas' (you count) come from the same Latin verb, *computare*, meaning 'to calculate' or 'to reckon.' The idea of 'counting' evolved into both the action of recounting a story ('to tell') and the final result of a calculation ('the bill/account').
First recorded: 13th century (in Old Spanish forms)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'cuentas' refers to bills or counting?
If 'cuentas' has a feminine article before it ('las cuentas'), it is the plural noun (bills/accounts/beads). If it stands alone or follows a pronoun like 'Tú,' it is the verb form meaning 'you count' or 'you tell.'
Is it rude to ask for 'la cuenta' in a restaurant?
Not at all. Saying 'La cuenta, por favor' is the standard, polite way to ask for the bill in almost all Spanish-speaking countries.