Spanish · Difficult words
How to pronounce contar in Spanish
contar
to tell
Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
contar is pronounced /konˈtaɾ/ in Spanish. In contar: Make one quick tongue-tip contact behind the upper teeth, then move on. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in contar
Read contar in these IPA segments: kon · ˈtaɾ. Dots and stress marks identify the boundaries shown in the reference; these symbols are not English spelling. The mark /ˈ/ comes immediately before the main stressed syllable. Give that syllable a little more prominence without swallowing the others.
1.The tapped r /ɾ/
In contar: Make one quick tongue-tip contact behind the upper teeth, then move on.
Watch out: Do not prolong this into a trill when the IPA shows a single tap.
2.A steady /o/ vowel
In contar: Round the lips and keep the tongue toward the back for a steady /o/. Follow the length indicated in the transcription.
Watch out: Avoid automatically turning a single /o/ into the moving vowel of English “go”.
3.An open vowel
In contar: Open the jaw for the a-like vowel shown in the IPA. Keep it continuous and follow the recording’s tongue position.
Watch out: Do not substitute the English diphthong in “day”.
Hear it in context
No voy a contar tu secreto.
I'm not going to tell your secret.
Listen once, say it aloud, then replay at 1.00×. Keep the word connected to the surrounding sentence rather than giving every syllable equal weight.
Pronunciation and variety
This guide uses a Latin American Spanish model for contar. In Spain and other regions, individual consonants may differ. The linked reference records the source transcription; the audio provides one consistent practice model.
The English-style respelling is approximate. Use the IPA and recording together for vowel quality and consonants that do not have an exact English equivalent.
Meaning and everyday use
Questions about contar
How do you pronounce contar?
contar is pronounced /konˈtaɾ/ in Spanish. In contar: Make one quick tongue-tip contact behind the upper teeth, then move on. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In contar: Make one quick tongue-tip contact behind the upper teeth, then move on. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
