me conta
/mi ˈkõ.tɐ/word by word
To say tell me in Portuguese, you use me conta.
The phrase me conta is used when you want someone to share news, a story or a narrative with you.
Which one should you use?
While me conta is used for storytelling or sharing news, the phrase me diga is more common when you are asking for specific information or a direct answer.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, you will often hear Me fala to mean speak to me. In Portugal, the informal way to say tell me is Conta-me and the informal expression Diz-me is also used. In Brazil, the slang Fala aí can be used to mean speak up.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form me conta is the imperative used in informal speech.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi ˈkõ.tɐ/. The phrase has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word conta also refers to a bank account or a restaurant bill, reflecting the historical link between counting money and counting stories.
- In Brazil, the placement of the pronoun 'me' at the start of a sentence, like in 'Me conta', is common in speech but is technically a grammatical error in formal written Portuguese.
- The verb in me conta actually comes from the same root as 'to count' in English, meaning to recount or enumerate items.
Examples in context
- Me conta uma piada.Tell me a joke.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of me conta when asking for a joke.Tatoeba #4870228 by bill, translation #1665124 by Amastan
- Você deve me contar.You must tell me.This sentence shows how to use me conta in a sentence with a modal verb.Tatoeba #2039799 by MarlonX19, translation #2038400 by Spamster
- Você poderia me contar?Could you tell me?This sentence demonstrates a polite way to use me conta by phrasing it as a question.Tatoeba #4866928 by Ricardo14, translation #1663393 by liwan1208
- Diga-me, o que posso fazer para ajudar?Tell me, how can I help?
- Diz-me o que aconteceu ontem!Tell me what happened yesterday!
- 67 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Lucas are having coffee at a cafe.
- MarianaMe conta as novidades, Lucas!Tell me the news, Lucas!
- LucasEu consegui um emprego novo.I got a new job.
- MarianaQue ótima notícia!That's great news!
- LucasObrigado, Mariana.Thank you, Mariana.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (me, conta) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries conta, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
