The Spanish verb "contar" means "to count/tell" in English. It is an irregular verb. Below you'll find the complete conjugation tables for "contar" across all 5 tenses. New to Spanish verbs? Start with the Spanish verb guide.
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Lexi's Memory Hack
CONTAR is a boot verb: O → UE. "CUENto, CUENtas, CUENta… contamos, contáis, CUENtan." It counts itself as irregular!
Contar = to count OR to tell a story. Context determines meaning.
How to Conjugate "contar" in the Present Tense
Presente de indicativo Actions happening now or regularly| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | I | cuento |
| tú | you (informal) | cuentas |
| él/ella/usted | he/she/you (formal) | cuenta |
| nosotros | we | contamos |
| vosotros | you all (Spain) | contáis |
| ellos/ustedes | they/you all | cuentan |
Él cuenta el dinero.
say it el KUEN-tah
He counts the money.
In other languages
- French Il compte l'argent.
- German Er zählt das Geld.
- Dutch Hij telt het geld.
Yo cuento hasta diez.
say it yo KUEN-toh
I count to ten.
In other languages
- French Je compte jusqu'à dix.
- German Ich zähle bis zehn.
- Dutch Ik tel tot tien.
How to Conjugate "contar" in the Past (completed) Tense
Pretérito perfecto simple Actions that finished in the past| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | I | conté |
| tú | you (informal) | contaste |
| él/ella/usted | he/she/you (formal) | contó |
| nosotros | we | contamos |
| vosotros | you all (Spain) | contasteis |
| ellos/ustedes | they/you all | contaron |
Ella contó un secreto ayer.
say it kohn-TOH
She told a secret yesterday.
In other languages
- French Elle a révélé un secret hier.
- German Sie erzählte gestern ein Geheimnis.
- Dutch Zij vertelde gisteren een geheim.
Yo conté una historia divertida.
say it kohn-TEH
I told a funny story.
In other languages
- French J'ai raconté une histoire drôle.
- German Ich erzählte eine lustige Geschichte.
- Dutch Ik vertelde een grappig verhaal.
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Try VerbPal FreeHow to Conjugate "contar" in the Past (ongoing) Tense
Pretérito imperfecto Actions that were ongoing in the past| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | I | contaba |
| tú | you (informal) | contabas |
| él/ella/usted | he/she/you (formal) | contaba |
| nosotros | we | contábamos |
| vosotros | you all (Spain) | contabais |
| ellos/ustedes | they/you all | contaban |
Él contaba chistes malos.
say it ehl kon-TAH-bah
He used to tell bad jokes.
In other languages
- French Il avait l'habitude de raconter de mauvaises blagues.
- German Er erzählte früher schlechte Witze.
- Dutch Hij vertelde vroeger slechte grappen.
Yo contaba historias a mi hijo.
say it yo kon-TAH-bah
I used to tell stories to my son.
In other languages
- French J'avais l'habitude de raconter des histoires à mon fils.
- German Ich erzählte meinem Sohn früher Geschichten.
- Dutch Ik vertelde vroeger verhalen aan mijn zoon.
How to Conjugate "contar" in the Future Tense
Futuro simple Actions that will happen| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | I | contaré |
| tú | you (informal) | contarás |
| él/ella/usted | he/she/you (formal) | contará |
| nosotros | we | contaremos |
| vosotros | you all (Spain) | contaréis |
| ellos/ustedes | they/you all | contarán |
Él contará la verdad pronto.
say it ehl kohn-tah-RAH
He will tell the truth soon.
In other languages
- French Il dira bientôt la vérité.
- German Er wird bald die Wahrheit sagen.
- Dutch Hij zal binnenkort de waarheid vertellen.
Yo contaré una historia corta.
say it yo kohn-tah-REH
I will tell a short story.
In other languages
- French Je raconterai une courte histoire.
- German Ich werde eine kurze Geschichte erzählen.
- Dutch Ik zal een kort verhaal vertellen.
How to Conjugate "contar" in the Would (conditional) Tense
Condicional simple Hypothetical actions| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | I | contaría |
| tú | you (informal) | contarías |
| él/ella/usted | he/she/you (formal) | contaría |
| nosotros | we | contaríamos |
| vosotros | you all (Spain) | contaríais |
| ellos/ustedes | they/you all | contarían |
Ella contaría con mi ayuda.
say it kohn-TAH-ree-ah
She would count on my help.
In other languages
- French Elle compterait sur mon aide.
- German Sie würde auf meine Hilfe zählen.
- Dutch Zij zou op mijn hulp rekenen.
Yo contaría una historia corta.
say it kohn-TAH-ree-ah
I would tell a short story.
In other languages
- French Je raconterais une courte histoire.
- German Ich würde eine kurze Geschichte erzählen.
- Dutch Ik zou een kort verhaal vertellen.
Frequently Asked Questions About "contar"
Is "contar" regular or irregular in Spanish?
"Contar" is an irregular Spanish verb, meaning its conjugation does not follow standard patterns and must be memorized individually.
What does "contar" mean in English?
The Spanish verb "contar" means "to count/tell" in English.
How do you conjugate "contar" in the present tense?
In the present tense (Presente de indicativo): yo → cuento, tú → cuentas, él/ella/usted → cuenta, nosotros → contamos, vosotros → contáis, ellos/ustedes → cuentan.
How many tenses does "contar" have in Spanish?
"Contar" is conjugated across 5 tenses in Spanish: Present, Past (completed), Past (ongoing), Future, Would (conditional).
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