contar de nuevo
/kontaɾ de nwebo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'retell' can be translated into Spanish as contar de nuevo. Wiktionary also lists redecir.
Meaning: to tell again (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| contar de nuevo | /kontaɾ de nwebo/ (from spelling rules) |
| redecir | /redeˈθiɾ/ /redeˈsiɾ/ |
To express the concept of retelling, you can use several different constructions. contar de nuevo is used for the general act of recounting a story or a sequence of events. Alternatively, you can use Volver a narrar, which specifically means 'to narrate again'.
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter the periphrastic construction volver a contar, which is a very common and natural way in Spanish to express doing something again.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase contar de nuevo is an adverbial construction where de nuevo modifies the verb contar.
Did you know?
- The word contar can also mean 'to rely on someone', as in cuentas conmigo, which literally translates to 'you count on me'.
- In Spanish, contar is used both for 'counting' numbers and 'telling' a story, because both acts involve a sequential order.
- The word contar in contar de nuevo comes from the Latin computāre, making it a direct relative of the English words 'count' and 'compute'.
Examples in context
- ¿Quieres que te cuente de nuevo lo que sucedió?Do you want me to retell you what happened?
- Ella contó de nuevo el chiste y todos nos reímosShe retold the joke, and we all laughed
- Tienes que contar de nuevo la historia.You have to tell the story again.
- No puedo contar de nuevo lo que pasó.I cannot tell what happened again.
- ¿Puedes contar de nuevo ese chiste?Can you tell that joke again?
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are at a cafe discussing a book.
- SofíaNo entendí bien la trama del libro.I didn't understand the plot of the book well.
- JavierSi quieres, te puedo contar de nuevo lo más importante.If you want, I can tell you the most important parts again.
- SofíaSí, por favor, Javier.Yes, please, Javier.
- JavierClaro, todo empezó en un pueblo pequeño.Sure, it all started in a small town.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “retell” translations and entries redecir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contar, de, nuevo, redecir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
