Spanish Conversation · Level 12
90 words
Spanish word
cantar
Pronunciation
IPA/kanˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbsing
Example
¿Puedes cantar una canción?
Can you sing a song?
More examples
Ella suele cantar en público los fines de semana.
She usually sings in public on weekends.
Core concept
Vocalizing a song's melody and words.
Common phrases
cantar una canción
sing a song
cantar en público
sing in public
cantar en voz alta
sing aloud
Similar words
tararear: Hums a tune softly through the nose or closed lips, carrying the melody without words.
entonar: Sings with accurate pitch, producing notes that match the intended melody.
corear: Voices the same song in unison with a group, joining a chorus or crowd call.
interpretar: Performs a song or musical piece for listeners, expressing its musical character.
Definition in Spanish
Entonar palabras o música con la voz para comunicar una canción o un motivo musical.
Word origin
Derives from Latin cantāre (root cant- meaning 'sing') and develops in the Romance languages as Spanish cantar, the verb for singing.
Usage tips
- In colloquial Spanish cantar can also mean 'to confess' or 'to inform on someone' (for example, 'el sospechoso cantó'), so context decides literal singing versus a figurative admission.