contar (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The word "contar" is a verb.

Phonetic Transcription

/kオン'taɾ/

Translation Options into English

1. To count
2. To tell
3. To relate (to narrate a story)

Meaning and Usage

"Contar" is a versatile verb in the Spanish language that means "to count" in numerical contexts, "to tell" in the context of telling a story or giving an account, and can also mean "to relate" in various narrative forms. It is widely used in both oral and written contexts but appears more frequently in oral speech due to its common usage in everyday conversations.

Example Sentences

1. Contar hasta diez es importante para aprender a contar en matemáticas.
   Counting to ten is important for learning to count in mathematics.

2. Me gusta contar historias de mi infancia.
   I like to tell stories from my childhood.

3. Necesitamos contar los votos después de la elección.
   We need to count the votes after the election.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Contar" is frequently used in various idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are some notable examples:

1. Contar con los dedos

2. No necesito ayuda, puedo contar con los dedos.
   I don’t need help; I can count on my fingers.

3. Contar hasta mil

4. Cuando estoy estresado, solo trato de contar hasta mil antes de responder.
   When I’m stressed, I try to count to a thousand before responding.

5. No contar un cuento

6. No cuentes esa versión. Es mejor no contar un cuento.
   Don’t tell that version. It’s better not to tell a tale.

7. Contar con alguien

8. Siempre puedo contar con mis amigos cuando lo necesito.
   I can always count on my friends when I need them.

9. Contar los días

10. Estoy contando los días para mis vacaciones.
    I’m counting the days until my vacation.

Etymology

The verb "contar" originates from the Latin word "computare," which means "to calculate" or "to count." It has evolved in the Spanish language to encompass both numerical counting and storytelling.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms: contar (to recount), narrar (to narrate), relatar (to relate), enumerar (to enumerate).
• Antonyms: ocultar (to hide), callar (to keep silent), silenciar (to silence).

This is a comprehensive overview of the verb "contar" and its usages, meanings, and related linguistic elements in the Spanish language.