French Conversation · Level 134
30 words
French word
conter
Pronunciation
IPA/kɔ̃te/
Meaning
- verbtell
Example
Elle conte une légende au coin du feu.
She tells a legend by the fireside.
More examples
Il lui a conté des anecdotes amusantes.
He told her amusing anecdotes.
Core concept
A storyteller shapes a legend with vivid scenes and dramatic delivery for an audience.
Common phrases
conter une histoire
tell a story
conter une légende
tell a legend
conter des anecdotes
tell anecdotes
Similar words
raconter: To recount an event or story in sequence so its details are conveyed.
dire: To say words or express a thought aloud.
Definition in French
conter — dire une histoire de façon plus théâtrale ou imagée que pour un simple rapport, souvent dans un but de divertissement.
Word origin
French conter comes through Old French from Latin computare, 'to reckon or give an account', whose sense developed toward telling a story; it is related to conte.
Usage tips
- Conter is more literary and story-focused than raconter, while ordinary factual reporting normally uses raconter or rapporter.