Contar is a fundamental Spanish verb that serves dual purposes: it means both “to count” (numbers) and “to tell” (stories, information). This dual meaning makes contar highly versatile and essential for communication in various contexts, from mathematics to storytelling.
- Meanings: to count, to tell (a story, information, jokes, etc.)
- Usage: For both numerical contexts and narrative situations
- Nature: Regular -ar verb in its main uses, but with a spelling change in some forms for pronunciation
Conjugation Patterns
Present Tense
| Subject | Contar (to count / to tell) |
|---|---|
| Yo | cuento |
| Tú | cuentas |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | cuenta |
| Nosotros | contamos |
| Vosotros | contáis |
| Ellos/Uds. | cuentan |
Note: Contar is a stem-changing verb (o → ue) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Preterite
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| Yo | conté |
| Tú | contaste |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | contó |
| Nosotros | contamos |
| Vosotros | contasteis |
| Ellos/Uds. | contaron |
Note: Regular -ar verb endings are used in the preterite; no stem change occurs.
Imperfect
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| Yo | contaba |
| Tú | contabas |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | contaba |
| Nosotros | contábamos |
| Vosotros | contabais |
| Ellos/Uds. | contaban |
Note: Regular -ar endings apply; no stem change.
Subjunctive (Present)
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| Yo | cuente |
| Tú | cuentes |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | cuente |
| Nosotros | contemos |
| Vosotros | contéis |
| Ellos/Uds. | cuenten |
Note: Stem change (o → ue) applies except in nosotros/vosotros.
Usage with Examples
To Count (contar)
- Meaning: to count, to enumerate
- Subject: people, things, numbers
- Typical Construction: contar + objects/number
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Cuántos alumnos cuentan en la clase? | How many students count in the class? |
| Nosotros contamos cinco pasos. | We count five steps. |
| Ella cuenta todas las monedas. | She counts all the coins. |
Use 'contar' with things or numbers to express counting.
To Tell/Relate (contar)
- Meaning: to tell, to relate, to narrate
- Subject: stories, information, jokes, experiences
- Typical Construction: contar + (una historia, un secreto, un chiste, etc.)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Ella cuenta historias fascinantes. | She tells fascinating stories. |
| ¿Puedes contarme lo que pasó? | Can you tell me what happened? |
| Siempre cuentan chistes en la reunión. | They always tell jokes at the meeting. |
You can use 'contar' to express 'to tell' stories, secrets, or jokes.
Asks for a Story or Experience (Common Phrases)
- Cuéntame más. (Tell me more.)
- ¿Puedes contarme tu experiencia? (Can you tell me about your experience?)
- Nos contó todo lo que vio. (He told us everything he saw.)
Conclusion
Contar is a versatile verb that bridges numbers and narratives, making it indispensable for both practical and conversational Spanish.
- Dual meanings: to count (enumerate) and to tell (narrate).
- Stem-changing in present and subjunctive (o → ue), with regular -ar patterns in preterite and imperfect.
- Used for counting things/numbers and for telling stories, jokes, or information.