monta
/MOHN-tah/
he/she/it rides
A person riding a horse illustrates the verb 'monta'.
monta(verb)
he/she/it rides
?using a horse, bike, or motorcycle
,he/she/it assembles
?putting together furniture or parts
you (formal) ride
?polite address
,ride!
?giving a friendly command
📝 In Action
Él monta en bicicleta todas las mañanas.
A1He rides his bike every morning.
Ella monta los muebles de la oficina.
A2She is assembling the office furniture.
¡Monta ahora!
A1Get on/Ride now!
💡 Grammar Points
Dual Personality
'Monta' can be a statement about someone else ('he rides') or a friendly command to a friend ('Ride!'). The context tells you which one it is.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Riding 'in' vs. 'on'
Mistake: "Using 'monta en' for every vehicle."
Correction: While common, for animals we often say 'monta a caballo' (rides on a horse) rather than 'en'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond Horses
Use 'monta' for anything you assemble, like IKEA furniture or a Lego set.
A large stack of coins represents the total amount or 'monta'.
monta(noun)
amount
?the total sum or quantity
,importance
?the value or significance of something
sum
?financial total
📝 In Action
Es un asunto de gran monta para la empresa.
B2It is a matter of great importance for the company.
La monta total de la factura es elevada.
C1The total amount of the invoice is high.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
When used as a noun meaning 'amount,' it is always 'la monta'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing with the Verb
Mistake: "Thinking 'la monta' means 'the ride'."
Correction: Use 'el paseo' or 'la cabalgata' for the ride itself; 'la monta' as a noun usually refers to value or amount.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Quality
The phrase 'de poca monta' is a very natural way to describe a 'small-time' criminal or a 'cheap' piece of jewelry.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: monta
Question 1 of 1
What does the phrase 'un negocio de poca monta' mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'monta' used for riding a car?
No. For cars, we say 'conduce' (drives) or 'va en coche' (goes in a car). 'Monta' is reserved for things you sit 'astride,' like bikes, motorcycles, or horses.
Can 'monta' be a command?
Yes! If you are telling a friend to get on a bike or horse, you can simply say '¡Monta!'