contar
to count/tell
📚 contar is a stem-changing verb (o-ue). Learn more in our Stem-Changing Verbs Guide
Non-Conjugated Forms
contar
to count/tell
contando
Present Participle
contado
Used in perfect tenses
Indicative Mood
Used for statements of fact, certainty, and objective reality
| Person | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | cuento | conté | contaba | contaré | contaría |
| tú | cuentas | contaste | contabas | contarás | contarías |
| él/ella/usted | cuenta | contó | contaba | contará | contaría |
| nosotros | contamos | contamos | contábamos | contaremos | contaríamos |
| vosotros | contáis | contasteis | contabais | contaréis | contaríais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | cuentan | contaron | contaban | contarán | contarían |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Perfect Tenses
Compound tenses using auxiliary verb "haber" + past participle
| Person | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | he contado | había contado | habré contado | habría contado |
| tú | has contado | habías contado | habrás contado | habrías contado |
| él/ella/usted | ha contado | había contado | habrá contado | habría contado |
| nosotros | hemos contado | habíamos contado | habremos contado | habríamos contado |
| vosotros | habéis contado | habíais contado | habréis contado | habríais contado |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | han contado | habían contado | habrán contado | habrían contado |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Subjunctive Mood
Used for doubt, emotion, desire, possibility, and hypothetical situations
| Person | ||
|---|---|---|
| yo | cuente | contara |
| tú | cuentes | contaras |
| él/ella/usted | cuente | contara |
| nosotros | contemos | contáramos |
| vosotros | contéis | contarais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | cuenten | contaran |
| Quick Test | Quick Test |
Imperative Mood
Used for commands, requests, and instructions
| Person | |
|---|---|
| yo | - |
| tú | conta |
| él/ella/usted | conte |
| nosotros | contemos |
| vosotros | contad |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | conten |
| Quick Test |
🎯 Practice contar
Test your knowledge of contar conjugations across multiple tenses
Stem Change Pattern: o-ue
This verb follows the o-ue pattern. The stem change occurs in present indicative and present subjunctive, affecting the "boot" forms (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, ellos/ellas/ustedes). Some -ir verbs also have stem changes in preterite (él/ella and ellos/ellas forms).
Usage Tips
- Indicative: Use for facts, statements, and objective reality
- Subjunctive: Use after expressions of doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty
- Imperative: Use for direct commands and requests
- Perfect Tenses: Use to express actions completed relative to another time
Examples and Common Phrases
Examples
Common Phrases
Verb Information
Category
Communication
Ending Type
-ar verb
Verb Type
Stem-changing verb
Importance Rank
#56 out of 100
Usage Tips
Remember the "Boot"
Stem-changing verbs change in a "boot" shape: yo, tú, él/ella, and ellos/ellas change, but nosotros and vosotros don't. Draw a boot around the changing forms to remember!
Practice Suggestion
Try creating your own sentences with this verb. Start with simple present tense sentences and gradually work up to more complex constructions.