cántalo
/kantalo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "sing it" is translated into Spanish as cántalo.
cántalo is an instruction to perform a song or a melody using the voice.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the imperative verb canta (sing) and the direct object pronoun lo (it).
Which one should you use?
Use cántala instead of cántalo if the song (la canción) is being referred to as a feminine noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the imperative form with an attached object pronoun, an accent is added to the stressed syllable of the verb to maintain the original stress pattern.
How do you pronounce it?
/kantalo/
Did you know?
- The verb cantar is used idiomatically in phrases like cantar las cuarenta, which means to give someone a harsh piece of your mind or to tell them the truth bluntly.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the command cántalo might be used metaphorically to encourage someone to 'speak up' or 'tell the truth' about a secret.
- If you want to say 'sing it' to a group of people, you must change the command to cantadlo in Spain or cántenlo in Latin America.
Examples in context
- Señora, ¿podría cantarlo una vez más por favor?Madam, could you sing it one more time, please?
- ¡Vamos, cántalo con todas tus fuerzas!Come on, sing it with all your might!
- No te lo pienses más y cántalo.Don't think twice and sing it.
Example conversation
Alejandro asks Sofía to perform a song she wrote.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿está lista tu canción?Sofía, is your song ready?
- SofíaSí, pero me da mucha vergüenza.Yes, but I'm very shy.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, ¡cántalo tú sola!Don't worry, sing it by yourself!
- SofíaEstá bien, voy a intentarlo.All right, I'll try.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
