cuento
/KWEN-toh/
story
Reading a cuento (story) before bedtime.
cuento(noun)
story
?short fiction narrative
,tale
?narrative, often fictional or traditional
short story
?literary work
,fable
?moralistic tale
📝 In Action
¿Leemos un cuento antes de acostarnos?
A1Shall we read a story before going to bed?
Mi abuela siempre me contaba cuentos de hadas.
A2My grandmother always used to tell me fairy tales.
Este escritor es famoso por sus cuentos cortos.
B1This writer is famous for his short stories.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though 'historia' (story) is feminine, 'cuento' is always a masculine noun. Use 'el cuento' or 'un cuento'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Storytelling
To talk about telling a story, use the verb 'contar' (to tell) with 'cuento': 'Contar un cuento'.
He told a big cuento (lie) about why he was late.
cuento(noun)
lie
?untruth, fib
,excuse
?a fabricated reason
nonsense
?unbelievable talk
,tall tale
?exaggeration
📝 In Action
¡Ese es un cuento muy viejo! No te creo nada.
B1That's a very old excuse! I don't believe anything you say.
Siempre viene con el mismo cuento de que el tráfico fue terrible.
B2He always comes up with the same story/excuse about the traffic being terrible.
No me vengas con cuentos, sé la verdad.
C1Don't give me any of your nonsense; I know the truth.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use in Disagreement
This meaning is highly common in phrases like 'No me cuentes cuentos' or '¡Puros cuentos!' (Just lies!) when you think someone is being insincere or dishonest.
Cuento (I count) the apples to see if we have enough.
cuento(verb)
I count
?to calculate quantity
,I tell
?to narrate or relate
I rely (on)
?used with 'con' (e.g., Cuento contigo - I count on you)
📝 In Action
Yo cuento hasta diez antes de abrir los ojos.
A1I count to ten before opening my eyes.
Te cuento mi día cuando volvamos a casa.
A2I'll tell you about my day when we get back home.
Cuento contigo para organizar la fiesta de esta noche.
B1I'm counting on you to organize the party tonight.
💡 Grammar Points
Stem-Changing Verb
The verb 'contar' is irregular. When the 'o' is stressed (in most singular forms and the third person plural), it changes to 'ue'. For example, 'Yo cuento', but 'Nosotros contamos'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Using 'Yo conto' instead of 'Yo cuento'."
Correction: Remember the vowel changes from 'o' to 'ue' in the present tense forms except for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Two Main Uses
Remember it has two equally important meanings: 1. Counting numbers (like 1, 2, 3) and 2. Telling a story or relating information.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cuento
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is NOT appropriate for the sentence: 'Siempre cuento con un buen amigo.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'cuento' means 'story' or 'I count/I tell'?
Look at the sentence structure. If the word is preceded by 'el' or 'un' (an article), it's the noun ('the story'). If it's used with a subject like 'Yo' or clearly performs an action, it's the verb form ('I count' or 'I tell').
Is 'cuento' always used for short stories, or can it mean a novel?
'Cuento' almost always refers specifically to a short story or tale. For a long fictional work, you should use 'novela' (novel).