cuente
“cuente” means “count” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
count
Also: calculate
📝 In Action
Por favor, que la secretaria cuente el inventario mañana.
A2Please, have the secretary count the inventory tomorrow.
Cuente de uno a veinte antes de empezar.
A1Count from one to twenty before starting. (Formal command, Usted)
No creo que yo cuente bien bajo presión.
B1I don't think I count well under pressure.
tell
Also: recount
📝 In Action
Espero que el guía nos cuente una leyenda local.
A2I hope the guide tells us a local legend.
No deje que le cuente chismes sobre la oficina.
B1Don't let him/her tell you gossip about the office.
¿Puede usted cuentarme su versión de la historia?
A2Can you (formal) tell me your version of the story?
rely on
Also: count on
📝 In Action
¡Cuente conmigo para la mudanza!
B1Count on me for the move! (Formal command)
Es crucial que el equipo cuente con suficiente presupuesto.
B2It is crucial that the team relies on (or has) enough budget.
Si no cuente con su apoyo, el proyecto fracasará.
C1If he/she doesn't rely on their support, the project will fail.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuente
Question 1 of 2
In which sentence does 'cuente' mean 'to rely on'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *computāre*, meaning 'to calculate' or 'to reckon.' This origin explains why it covers both counting numbers and telling a story (a reckoning of events).
First recorded: Old Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cuente' a command or a statement?
It can be both! 'Cuente' is the formal command form for 'you' (Usted), meaning 'Count!' or 'Tell!' It is also the special verb form (subjunctive) used for 'I' (yo) or 'he/she/it/you formal' (él/ella/usted) when talking about wishes, emotions, or uncertainty (e.g., 'I hope he counts it').
Why does 'contar' change its vowel from 'o' to 'ue'?
This is called a stem change, and it happens in many common Spanish verbs like 'poder' (to be able) and 'dormir' (to sleep). It's a natural evolution of the word designed to make the vowel sound stronger when the stress falls on that part of the word.