Inklingo

How to Say "counter" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mostrador

/mohs-trah-DOHR//mostɾaˈðoɾ/

nounA2
Use 'mostrador' for the flat surface in a shop, cafe, or reception area where you interact with staff or place items.
A clean, polished wooden counter in a small cafe with a single cup of coffee on it.

Examples

Por favor, deje su maleta en el mostrador.

Please, leave your suitcase on the counter.

El dependiente está atendiendo a un cliente en el mostrador.

The shop assistant is helping a customer at the counter.

No hay nadie en el mostrador de información.

There is no one at the information desk.

Gender Identification

Words ending in -dor are almost always masculine, so you'll use 'el' or 'un' with them.

The '-dor' Suffix

In Spanish, adding -dor to a verb often creates a noun for a person or a place that performs that action. It comes from 'mostrar' (to show), so it literally means 'the place where things are shown'.

Mostrador vs. Escritorio

Mistake: “Using 'mostrador' to refer to your personal desk at home.”

Correction: Use 'escritorio' for a private work desk and 'mostrador' for a public service counter.

barra

BAH-rrah (Roll the 'rr' sound strongly)/ˈba.rra/

nounA1
Use 'barra' specifically for a long, narrow counter, especially one where drinks are served, or for a bar in a pub or cafe.
A depiction of a wooden service counter with three empty stools, representing a bar.

Examples

Pedimos dos cervezas directamente en la barra.

We ordered two beers directly at the bar counter.

No encontramos mesa, así que comimos en la barra.

We couldn't find a table, so we ate at the counter.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'bar' (the place) is often 'el bar', the counter/surface is always feminine: 'la barra'.

bar

/bar//ˈbaɾ/

nounA1
Use 'bar' to refer to the establishment itself, the place where drinks are prepared and served, rather than just the physical counter.
A friendly bartender standing behind a long wooden bar counter, serving a cup of coffee to a customer sitting on a red stool.

Examples

Quedamos en el bar de la esquina a las ocho.

Let's meet at the corner bar at eight.

En España, es normal desayunar en un bar.

In Spain, it's normal to have breakfast at a bar/café.

Pídele otra ronda al camarero que está en el bar.

Ask the waiter who is at the counter for another round.

Gender: It's a Masculine Noun

Even though it doesn't end in '-o', 'bar' is a masculine word. So, you always say 'el bar' (the bar) or 'un bar' (a bar).

Confusing 'bar' with 'barra'

Mistake: “Me senté en el bar para beber.”

Correction: Me senté en la barra para beber. (I sat at the counter to drink.) While the first sentence is okay ('I sat in the bar...'), if you mean the physical counter, you need to use 'la barra'.

contador

/kon-tah-DOR//kontaˈðoɾ/

nounB1
Use 'contador' for a device that counts or measures, such as a meter for water, gas, electricity, or a clicker used for tallying.
A utility meter with a rotating dial and a glass cover attached to an outdoor wall.

Examples

El contador del agua está afuera de la casa.

The water meter is outside the house.

El video tiene un contador de visitas en la esquina.

The video has a view counter in the corner.

Measuring Devices

When 'contador' refers to a machine, it is always masculine, regardless of who owns it or where it is.

Bar vs. Mostrador vs. Barra

Learners often confuse 'bar', 'barra', and 'mostrador'. Remember that 'bar' refers to the establishment, 'barra' is the physical counter where drinks are served, and 'mostrador' is a more general term for a shop or service counter.

Related Translations

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