Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| revelador | /rebelaˈdoɾ/ | |
| indicante | /indikante/ (from spelling rules) | |
| hablar más de la cuenta | /ablaɾ mas de la kwenta/ (from spelling rules) | phrase, verb |
If you mean something is significant or provides insight (as in a "telling detail"), use the adjective revelador. If you mean the act of providing news or information in a formal setting, you might use the verb informar.
Which one should you use?
While revelador is used for something that reveals a truth or provides insight, it is not used for the act of telling a story or a secret. For those actions, you would use verbs like contar or decir.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, the verb platicar is often used informally to mean "to tell" or "to chat".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective revelador must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. It becomes reveladora for feminine singular nouns, reveladores for masculine plural nouns and reveladoras for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/rebelaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- While revelador describes a 'telling' detail, the verb revelar is also the standard term for developing a photograph in a darkroom.
- In Spanish, the word cuenta for 'account' or 'story' shares its root with the verb contar, which comes from the Latin 'computare', the same root used for the English word 'compute'.
- The phrase hablar más de la cuenta literally means 'to speak more than the account', where cuenta refers to a calculated limit or a tally.
Examples in context
- Me puede explicar cómo se usa este aparato electrónico?Can you explain to me how to use this electronic device?
- María le comunicó a su jefe que llegaría tarde.María communicated to her boss that she would be late.
- Le dije a Juan que vendría a su fiesta.I told Juan that I would come to his party.
- Mamá me contó una historia fascinante sobre su juventud.Mom told me a fascinating story about her youth.
- Los vecinos estaban chismeando acerca del nuevo gerente.The neighbors were gossiping about the new manager.
- un detalle reveladorA telling detail
- Su silencio fue muy revelador.His silence was very telling.
- Ese comentario fue bastante revelador.That comment was quite telling.
- Los resultados del test son reveladores.The test results are telling.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a recent interview.
- Elena¿Qué te pareció la entrevista?What did you think of the interview?
- JavierFue un momento muy revelador para ella.It was a very telling moment for her.
- ElenaSí, su actitud lo dijo todo.Yes, her attitude said it all.
- JavierExacto, fue un gesto revelador.Exactly, it was a telling gesture.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “telling” translations and entries revelador, 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 cuenta, de, hablar, la, más, revelador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
