French word

compter

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbcount

Example

Peux-tu compter jusqu'à dix ?

Can you count to ten?

Illustration for compter (count)

More examples

Il faut compter tous les invités pour le dîner.

We have to count all the guests for dinner.

Core concept

A numbered list becomes a meaningful total when each unit or relevant factor is taken into account.

Common phrases

  • compter jusqu'à dix

    count to ten

  • compter les moutons

    count the sheep

  • compter les points

    count the points

Similar words

compter sur: To rely on someone or something with an expectation of support.

Definition in French

Calculer ou énumérer des unités pour obtenir un total; s'emploie aussi au sens figuré pour inclure ou considérer quelque chose.

Word origin

French compter inherited the central idea of reckoning from Latin computare, whose parts express bringing things together for calculation.

Usage tips

  • Compter sur means 'to rely on', so sur changes the verb from counting something to depending on someone or something.

Other meanings

  • calculateverb
  • includeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word