contar de dos en dos
/kontaɾ de dos en dos/from spelling rules
To count by twos in Spanish is contar de dos en dos.
This phrase is used to describe the action of skipping numbers to state every second number in a sequence.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression de dos en dos literally means of two in two.
How do you pronounce it?
/kontaɾ de dos en dos/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word contar can mean both 'to count' and 'to tell a story'. This is because both acts involve recounting a sequence of events or numbers.
- In Spanish, the phrase contar con is an idiom that means 'to rely on' or 'to have' something available, rather than performing a mathematical count.
- The word dos is a cognate of the Persian word دو, as both can be traced back to the prehistoric root *dwóh₁.
Examples in context
- Voy a contar de dos en dos hasta veinte.I'm going to count by twos up to twenty.
- Vamos a realizar un conteo de dos en dos.We are going to count by twos.
- Si cuentas de dos en dos, dices: dos, cuatro, seis…If you count by twos, you say: two, four, six…
- Puedes contar de dos en dos para practicar.You can count by twos to practice.
- El niño sabe contar de dos en dos.The boy knows how to count by twos.
- Vamos a contar de dos en dos hasta diez.Let's count by twos up to ten.
Example conversation
María is helping Javier with his math homework.
- MaríaJavier, intenta contar de dos en dos.Javier, try counting by twos.
- JavierDos, cuatro, seis… ¿así se hace?Two, four, six… is this how it's done?
- MaríaSí, exacto. Vas muy bien.Yes, exactly. You're doing great.
- JavierGracias, María. Ahora es más fácil.Thanks, María. Now it's easier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contar, de, dos, en, CC BY-SA 4.0.
