muestra y cuenta
/mwestɾa i kwenta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "show and tell" is translated into Spanish as muestra y cuenta.
This phrase refers to a classroom activity where students bring an object from home to show and describe to their classmates.
Did you know?
- While muestra y cuenta is a literal translation, many Spanish-speaking countries do not have a formal 'show and tell' tradition in schools, often replacing it with a more structured oral presentation called exposición.
- The word cuenta comes from contar, which means both 'to count' numbers and 'to tell' a story.
- The term muestra is a cognate of the English word 'museum', as both derive from the Latin 'monstrare', meaning 'to show' or 'to point out'.
Examples in context
- Hoy en la clase, cada estudiante tendrá la oportunidad de presentar y contar sobre un objeto especial que haya traído de su casa.Today in class, each student will have the opportunity to present and tell about a special object they have brought from home.
Example conversation
Two parents discussing their children's school activities.
- MaríaJavier, ¿sabes que mañana es el muestra y cuenta?Javier, do you know that tomorrow is show and tell?
- JavierNo lo sabía, María. ¿Qué debe llevar el niño?I didn't know, María. What should the boy bring?
- MaríaCualquier objeto favorito que quiera describir.Any favorite object he wants to describe.
- JavierPerfecto, ayudaremos a nuestro hijo a elegir uno.Perfect, we will help our son choose one.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuenta, muestra, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
