Meaning and behavior
What does contar mean?
Contar means to count; to tally. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to tell (a story); narrate; to be (a certain number of years of age).
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- contar
- Gerund
- contando
- Past participle
- contado
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the present.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of contar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| yo | cuento |
| tú | cuentas |
| él / ella / usted | cuenta |
| nosotros / nosotras | contamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cuentan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of contar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| yo | conté |
| tú | contaste |
| él / ella / usted | contó |
| nosotros / nosotras | contamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | contaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of contar, or for background information.
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| yo | contaba |
| tú | contabas |
| él / ella / usted | contaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | contábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | contaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of contar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| yo | contaré |
| tú | contarás |
| él / ella / usted | contará |
| nosotros / nosotras | contaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | contarán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| yo | cuente |
| tú | cuentes |
| él / ella / usted | cuente |
| nosotros / nosotras | contemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cuenten |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of contar that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| tú | cuenta |
| usted | cuente |
| nosotros / nosotras | contemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contad |
| ustedes | cuenten |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of contar.
| Subject | Contar |
|---|---|
| tú | no cuentes |
| usted | no cuente |
| nosotros / nosotras | no contemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no contéis |
| ustedes | no cuenten |
Verified context
Examples with contar
Él me lo contó todo.
He told me everything.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRNo te lo conté todo.
I didn't tell you everything.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRCuenta de uno a diez.
Count from one to ten.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Contar FAQ
What does contar mean?
Contar means to count; to tally.
Is contar regular or irregular?
Contar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of contar?
The gerund of contar is contando.
What is the past participle of contar?
The past participle of contar is contado.
How is contar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is cuento, cuentas, cuenta, contamos, cuentan.
How is contar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is conté, contaste, contó, contamos, contaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.