Verb · A1 · Spanish glossary
Cantar: to sing
cantar
Pronunciation: kahn-TAHR (stress the capital letters)
Cantar means “to sing” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to sing
- How to say it: kahn-TAHR
- Present: yo canto, tú cantas
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “cantar” means and how to use it
Cantar means “to sing.” The noun is el canto, and a song is una canción.
How to conjugate “cantar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | canto | I |
| tú | cantas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | canta | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | cantamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | cantan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo canté, él cantó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | cantado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Canto en la ducha.I sing in the shower.
- Mi hermana canta en un coro.My sister sings in a choir.
- ¿Puedes cantar esa canción otra vez?Can you sing that song again?
Usage tip
Cantar is also used for birds: los pájaros cantan. Do not confuse canción (a song) with cantar (to sing).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to sing” in Spanish?
“to sing” in Spanish is “cantar.” It is pronounced kahn-TAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “cantar”?
Say kahn-TAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “cantar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “canté” and “él” is “cantó.” The past participle is “cantado.”
Practice “cantar” for free
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