cantar
/kanˈtaɾ/
To sing in Spanish is cantar.
Cantar is the most commonly used verb to express "to sing" in Spanish. If you want to emphasize the act of singing in tune or with a proper melody, you might use entonar. For humming or singing softly without full pronunciation, the verb canturrear is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present tense of cantar is canto (I sing), and the first-person singular preterite or past tense is canté (I sang). The gerund form is cantando (singing). Additionally, the noun form derived from this verb is el canto, which can mean the song, the singing or the chant.
How do you pronounce it?
/kanˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word canto does not just mean 'song', but is also the technical term for the 'edge' or 'corner' of a physical object like a table.
- The phrase cantar las cuarenta means to give someone a harsh scolding or to tell them the blunt truth.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, cantar can be used as slang to mean 'to snitch' or confess a secret to the police.
Examples in context
- Pua va a cantar.Pua is going to sing.This sentence shows the use of cantar for an upcoming action.Tatoeba #3203275 by cueyayotl, translation #3155276 by CN
- Él empezó a cantar.He began to sing.This sentence shows the use of cantar following a verb of beginning.Tatoeba #1331737 by Shishir, translation #2768786 by CK
- No me gusta cantar.I don't like to sing.This sentence shows the use of cantar with a verb of liking.Tatoeba #7916804 by arh, translation #6273572 by CK
- Me encanta cantar en el coro de la iglesia.I love to sing in the church choir.
- Los cantantes entonaban hermosas melodías durante el concierto.The singers sang beautiful melodies during the concert.
- Me gusta canturrear mientras trabajo.I like to hum while I work.
- En las reuniones familiares siempre echamos una canción.We always sing at family gatherings.
- 94 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about their music class.
- JavierMaría, ¿quieres cantar conmigo?María, do you want to sing with me?
- MaríaSí, me encanta cantar en clase.Yes, I love to sing in class.
- JavierTú cantas muy bien.You sing very well.
- MaríaGracias, Javier, eres muy amable.Thanks, Javier, you are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cantar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
