to count; to tell (a story)
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Mi abuelo cuenta historias de cuando era joven.
My grandfather tells stories from when he was young.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Le conté todo a mi mejor amiga.
I told my best friend everything.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Mi abuela nos contaba cuentos antes de dormir.
My grandmother used to tell us stories before bed.
Futuro · What will happen
Te contaré todo mañana.
I'll tell you everything tomorrow.
Condicional · What would happen
¿Se lo contarías a tu mamá?
Would you tell your mom about it?
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
Me han contado que el restaurante cerró.
They've told me the restaurant closed.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ella ya me había contado el chisme.
She had already told me the gossip.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para las seis ya habremos contado todo el dinero.
By six we will have counted all the money.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Yo no lo habría contado delante de ellos.
I wouldn't have told it in front of them.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Quiero que me cuentes cómo te fue.
I want you to tell me how it went.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Esperaba que me contara la verdad.
I was hoping she would tell me the truth.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Nos pidió que contásemos hasta diez.
She asked us to count to ten.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Me molesta que hayan contado mi secreto.
It bothers me that they've told my secret.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si me hubieras contado antes, te habría ayudado.
If you had told me sooner, I would have helped you.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Cuenta hasta diez antes de responder.
Count to ten before answering.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No cuentes conmigo esta noche.
Don't count on me tonight.