compter
/kɔ̃.te/
To count in French is compter.
The verb compter means to enumerate or determine a number. When you want to express the idea of relying or counting on someone, you must use the preposition sur after the verb, forming the phrase compter sur.
Meaning: to enumerate or determine number (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of the verb compter is compte, which can mean an account or a tally. In some formal contexts, the verb décompter can be used to mean counting down or subtracting.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ̃.te/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- While compter means to count, its close relative conter means to tell a story or a tale. This distinction exists because the spelling was originally identical in Old French.
- In French, the expression compter pour rien means that someone or something is considered worthless or insignificant, rather than literally counting as zero.
- The word compte can refer to a bank account, a tally, or a reckoning. This versatility allows the phrase rendre des comptes to mean 'to explain one's actions' or 'to be accountable'.
Examples in context
- Je n'y compterais pas.I wouldn't count on it.This sentence shows how to use compter in the context of counting on something.Tatoeba #2321878 by sacredceltic, translation #2320154 by Gulliver
- Il ne sait pas compter.He can't count.This sentence uses compter to describe the ability to perform mathematical counting.Tatoeba #986325 by sacredceltic, translation #300223 by CK
- Je ne sais pas compter.I don't know how to count.This sentence uses compter to express a lack of knowledge regarding how to count.Tatoeba #13463560 by sacredceltic, translation #13467688 by rul
- Je vais compter les invités à la réunion.I will count the attendees at the meeting.
- Il faut compter les votes avant de conclure.We must count the votes before concluding.
- On peut chiffrer les participants à environ 200 personnes.We can estimate the number of participants at around 200 people.
- Je vais faire le compte du stock dans l'entrepôt.I am going to count the inventory in the warehouse.
- Il faut faire le compte des invités avant de réserver la salle.We need to count the guests before booking the venue.
- 150 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are in the kitchen preparing for a party.
- HugoPeux-tu compter les invités pour ce soir ?Can you count the guests for tonight?
- LéaOui, je vais compter les verres aussi.Yes, I will count the glasses too.
- HugoC'est important de bien compter les boissons.It is important to count the drinks well.
- LéaNe t'inquiète pas, Hugo, je m'en occupe.Don't worry, Hugo, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “count” translations and entries compter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
