What does contar in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word contar in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use contar in Spanish.

The word contar in Spanish means tell, tell, relate, count, count, matter, have, count on, rely on, count on, rely on, count on , rely on, have the support of, have the help of, count on 's collaboration, count on 's contribution, count on the presence of, have so many years of experience, tell stories, count your chickens before they hatch, tell a joke, tell a story, tell a tale, tell a story, describe the plot of a movie, not have, not rely on, not count on, not count on, not rely on, you can count on me, what can I tell you?, without counting on, without the help of, and that should do. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word contar

tell

verbo transitivo (narrar, relatar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Su padre les contaba un cuento antes de dormir. El testigo contó los hechos a la policía.

Their dad used to tell them stories before they went to sleep.

tell, relate

verbo transitivo (computar, numerar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

La maestra siempre contaba a sus alumnos después del recreo.

The witness related the facts to the police.

count

verbo intransitivo (recitar los números)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

El niño aprendió a contar hasta diez.

The child learnt to count to 10.

count, matter

verbo intransitivo (ser relevante)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Omitir una coma cuenta porque puede cambiar el sentido del texto.

Leaving out a comma counts because it can change the meaning of the text.

have

(disponer de)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

La casa cuenta con dos dormitorios y un baño. Para este proyecto contamos con mucho tiempo, así que podemos hacer todo con calma.

The house has two bedrooms and a bathroom.

count on, rely on

(disponer de) (be confident of)

Para este proyecto contamos con mucho tiempo, así que podemos hacer todo con calma.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Taking into account the patient's current state of health, it is best that they stay overnight for monitoring.

count on

(dar por seguro)

Como mi jefe es una persona difícil, no contaría con que me dé un aumento si se lo pido.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. The politician can take the support of the independent voters as a given.

rely on

(confiar en) (confidence)

Mis padres siempre me han apoyado y sé que puedo contar con ellos.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Maria reckoned on everyone showing up on time.

count on , rely on

locución verbal (considerar a alguien)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Todos saben que pueden contar con Cristina para salir: siempre está dispuesta a hacerlo.

Everyone knows you can count on Cristina to go out; she is always ready to do it.

have the support of

(tener el apoyo de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

No puedes hacer nada contra esa ley: cuenta con el favor de toda la sociedad.

have the help of

(ser apoyado por)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

María cuenta con la ayuda de sus padres para cuidar a su hijo recién nacido.

Maria has the help of her parents to care for her newborn.

count on 's collaboration, count on 's contribution

locución verbal (recibir ayuda)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Los alumnos cuentan con la colaboración de sus profesores en su proceso de formación.

count on the presence of

(tener la asistencia de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Contamos con la presencia de los mayores expertos en el área.

have so many years of experience

locución verbal (tener práctica)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El ingeniero cuenta con 30 años de experiencia en el área.

tell stories

locución verbal (narrar relatos)

La abuela nos cuenta historias de su juventud.

Grandmother tells stories of her childhood to us.

count your chickens before they hatch

expresión (coloquial (jactarse antes del triunfo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Es demasiado pronto para celebrarlo: no cuentes los pollos antes de nacer.

tell a joke

locución verbal (relatar un chiste)

A Sebas le encanta cuando cuenta un chiste y todos se ríen.

Sebas loves telling a joke when everyone laughs.

tell a story, tell a tale

locución verbal (MX, irónico, coloquial (decir una mentira) (lie)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

tell a story

(hacer una narración) (relate)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Me contaron una historia sobre las mariposas que jamás olvidé.

They told me a story about butterflies that I never forgot.

describe the plot of a movie

locución verbal (narrar la trama)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cuando Ana cuenta una película, lo hace con mucho detalle.

When Ana describes the plot of movie, she provides a lot of detail.

not have

locución verbal (no disponer de algo)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

No cuento con los medios para entablar un juicio.

not rely on, not count on

locución verbal (desconfiar de algo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

No cuentes con tu seguro para cubrir todos los daños.

Don't rely on (or: don't count on) your insurance to cover the damage.

not count on, not rely on

locución verbal (desconfiar de alguien)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

No cuento con Juan; nunca me ayuda cuando lo necesito.

you can count on me

expresión (te ayudaré si me lo pides)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

María, siempre puedes contar conmigo para lo que sea.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. That sounds like a good idea, count me in.

what can I tell you?

expresión (para qué explicarlo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Qué te voy a contar, es tan largo que no sé por dónde empezar.

What can I tell you? It's such a long story that I don't know where to start.

without counting on, without the help of

locución preposicional (sin considerar a)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Terminamos el trabajo sin contar con Juan, él nunca nos ayudó.

We'll get the job done without counting on Juan: he never pitched in.

and that should do

expresión (coloquial (suficiente información)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Compré leche, café, azúcar y pare usted de contar.

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