cantar 30秒で
- To sing a song.
- To confess a secret.
- To stand out or clash visually.
- A regular -ar verb.
The Spanish verb cantar primarily translates to 'to sing' in English. It refers to the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, whether it is a human singing a melody, a bird chirping, or even an insect making a rhythmic noise. This verb is a completely regular first-conjugation verb ending in -ar, making it one of the foundational verbs taught to Spanish learners. Beyond its literal musical meaning, 'cantar' has developed a rich tapestry of figurative and colloquial uses across the Spanish-speaking world. For instance, it can mean to confess or reveal a secret under pressure, similar to the English slang 'to sing to the police'. It can also be used to describe something that is very obvious, striking, or even clashing, such as a bright color that 'sings' (stands out too much) in a subdued room. Understanding 'cantar' involves not just knowing its musical application but appreciating its versatility in everyday conversation, literature, and idiomatic expressions.
- Literal Meaning
- To emit musical sounds with the voice, forming a melody.
El coro va a cantar en la catedral esta noche.
In its most basic form, 'cantar' is used intransitively (without a direct object) or transitively (with a direct object, like a song). You can 'cantar bien' (sing well) or 'cantar una canción' (sing a song). The noun form is 'el canto' (the song/singing) or 'la canción' (the song). The person who sings is 'el cantante' (the singer) or 'el cantor' (often used for traditional or folk singers). The versatility of this word means you will encounter it in almost every context, from a mother singing a lullaby to a sports crowd chanting an anthem.
- Figurative Meaning: To Confess
- To reveal a secret, especially under interrogation.
El ladrón cantó todo a la policía.
Another fascinating aspect of 'cantar' is its use in nature. While in English birds 'sing', in Spanish they also 'cantan'. Roosters 'cantan' (crow), frogs 'cantan' (croak), and crickets 'cantan' (chirp). This extends the verb's utility far beyond human musicality into the general soundscape of the natural world. Furthermore, in games like Bingo or lottery, the person announcing the numbers is said to 'cantar los números'.
- Figurative Meaning: To Stand Out
- To be very obvious or to clash visually.
Esa corbata amarilla canta mucho con ese traje.
Los pájaros empiezan a cantar al amanecer.
El niño no para de cantar su canción favorita.
Using cantar correctly is straightforward for beginners due to its regular conjugation, but mastering its nuances takes practice. As a regular -ar verb, its endings in the present tense are -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an. You simply drop the -ar infinitive ending and add these suffixes. For example, 'yo canto' (I sing), 'tú cantas' (you sing). It can be used as an intransitive verb where the action stands alone: 'Ella canta muy bien' (She sings very well). It can also be transitive, taking a direct object: 'Nosotros cantamos el himno nacional' (We sing the national anthem). The verb is incredibly flexible and forms the basis for many compound expressions and idioms.
- Present Tense Usage
- Used for habitual actions or general truths about singing.
Siempre canto en el coche.
In the past tenses, 'cantar' maintains its regularity. The preterite (canté, cantaste, cantó...) is used for specific, completed instances of singing, such as a performance that happened last night. The imperfect (cantaba, cantabas, cantaba...) is used for ongoing or habitual singing in the past, like a childhood memory of a mother singing lullabies. The future tense (cantaré, cantarás...) and conditional (cantaría, cantarías...) are formed by adding endings directly to the infinitive 'cantar'. This regularity makes it a reliable verb to use when practicing new tenses.
- Past Tense (Preterite)
- Used for a completed action of singing in the past.
Ayer cantamos en el karaoke.
When moving to more advanced usage, 'cantar' frequently appears in the subjunctive mood to express desires, doubts, or hypothetical situations regarding singing. 'Espero que cantes en la boda' (I hope you sing at the wedding). Furthermore, its colloquial uses require an understanding of context. If someone says 'Esa mentira canta mucho', they aren't talking about a musical lie; they mean the lie is painfully obvious. Learning these contextual shifts is key to sounding like a native speaker.
- Subjunctive Mood
- Used for expressing wishes or uncertainties about singing.
Quiero que cantes conmigo.
Si cantaras mejor, ganarías el concurso.
Me fascina escuchar cómo cantan las ballenas.
The verb cantar is ubiquitous in Spanish-speaking cultures, deeply embedded in daily life, media, and artistic expression. You will hear it constantly in the context of music, which is a massive part of Hispanic culture. From reggaeton in Puerto Rico to flamenco in Spain, mariachi in Mexico, and tango in Argentina, the act of singing is central to social gatherings, celebrations, and cultural identity. When attending a fiesta, it is common for someone to pull out a guitar and for everyone to start to 'cantar'. You'll hear it on television talent shows, radio broadcasts, and in everyday conversations about favorite artists and bands.
- Musical Contexts
- Concerts, choirs, karaoke, and casual singing.
Vamos a un bar donde la gente puede cantar.
Beyond music, 'cantar' is frequently heard in sports. Fans in stadiums 'cantan' chants and anthems to support their teams. The rhythmic, unified voices of thousands of fans is a powerful cultural phenomenon where 'cantar' signifies unity and passion. In a completely different setting, you will hear 'cantar' in traditional games. In Spain's famous Christmas lottery (El Gordo), children from the San Ildefonso school 'cantan los premios' (sing the prizes), a deeply ingrained cultural tradition broadcasted nationwide every December 22nd.
- Sports and Games
- Chanting at matches or announcing lottery numbers.
La afición no dejó de cantar durante todo el partido.
In colloquial and street Spanish, 'cantar' is heard in police dramas or news reports when referring to someone confessing ('el sospechoso cantó'). You will also hear it in fashion or design contexts when something is glaringly mismatched ('ese color canta'). This metaphorical usage is highly prevalent in informal Spanish across Spain and Latin America. Understanding these diverse contexts—from a grand opera house to a gritty police interrogation room—demonstrates the incredible semantic range of this seemingly simple verb.
- Colloquial Contexts
- Confessions, obvious mistakes, or clashing elements.
Es evidente, su nerviosismo canta a kilómetros.
Los niños de San Ildefonso van a cantar el Gordo.
No cantes victoria antes de tiempo.
While cantar is a regular verb and generally easy to conjugate, learners still make several common mistakes, primarily related to false friends, prepositions, and idiomatic usage. A frequent error is confusing 'cantar' with the English word 'chant'. While 'cantar' can translate to 'chant' in certain contexts (like a crowd at a stadium), a religious or repetitive chant is often better translated as 'corear' or 'recitar'. Another mistake is using 'cantar' when referring to playing an instrument. In English, a piano might 'sing', but in Spanish, instruments 'suenan' (sound) or 'tocan' (play); they do not 'cantan' unless used in highly poetic language.
- Mistake: Instruments Singing
- Using cantar for instruments instead of tocar or sonar.
Incorrecto: La guitarra canta bien. / Correcto: La guitarra suena bien.
Learners also struggle with prepositions following 'cantar'. When singing a song to someone, you use the indirect object pronoun and the preposition 'a'. For example, 'Le canto una canción a mi hijo' (I sing a song to my son). Forgetting the 'a' or the indirect object pronoun is a classic beginner mistake. Additionally, when talking about singing about a specific topic, use 'sobre' or 'de': 'Cantan sobre el amor' (They sing about love). Using 'por' in this context would mean singing *because of* love or *on behalf of* love, which changes the meaning entirely.
- Mistake: Preposition Usage
- Using incorrect prepositions when describing who you sing to or what you sing about.
Le voy a cantar a ella.
Finally, misinterpreting idiomatic expressions is a major hurdle for advanced learners. If a native speaker says 'Esa camisa canta', a learner might be confused, looking for a hidden musical element. Failing to recognize the colloquial meaning of 'standing out' or 'clashing' leads to miscommunication. Similarly, 'cantar las cuarenta' has nothing to do with the number forty in a musical sense; it means to scold someone. Mastering 'cantar' requires moving beyond the literal translation and embracing its colorful, metaphorical life in the Spanish language.
- Mistake: Literal Translation of Idioms
- Taking phrases like 'cantar las cuarenta' literally.
Mi madre me cantó las cuarenta por llegar tarde.
El sospechoso cantó bajo presión.
Esa excusa canta a mentira.
When expanding your vocabulary around the concept of vocalizing or making music, cantar is just the starting point. Several similar words and synonyms exist, each carrying its own specific nuance. 'Entonar' is a closely related verb that means to intone, to sing in tune, or to strike up a song. While 'cantar' is the general act of singing, 'entonar' focuses on the pitch and the initiation of the melody. 'Tararear' is another wonderful verb that translates to 'to hum'. When you don't know the words but you know the tune, you 'tarareas' the song. This is a very common everyday action that 'cantar' doesn't quite capture accurately.
- Tararear
- To hum a tune without singing the words.
Él pasó todo el día tarareando esa melodía.
For group singing, especially in a rhythmic or repetitive manner, 'corear' is the appropriate verb. It comes from 'coro' (choir) and means to chant or sing in a chorus. You will hear this often in protests, sports events, or concerts when the audience sings along with the artist. 'Interpretar' is a more formal verb used in artistic contexts, meaning to perform or interpret a piece of music. A professional singer doesn't just 'cantar'; they 'interpretan' a song, bringing their own emotion and style to the performance. Understanding these distinctions elevates your Spanish from basic to proficient.
- Corear
- To chant or sing together in a group.
La multitud empezó a corear su nombre.
In the figurative sense of 'cantar' (to confess), synonyms include 'confesar' (to confess), 'delatar' (to inform on/betray), or 'chivar' (to snitch - highly colloquial). If 'cantar' is used to mean 'to stand out' or 'clash', synonyms would be 'destacar' (to stand out), 'desentonar' (to clash/be out of tune), or 'llamar la atención' (to draw attention). By learning these related words, you build a web of vocabulary that allows you to express precise thoughts, whether you are critiquing a musical performance, describing a bird's morning routine, or gossiping about a glaring fashion mistake.
- Desentonar
- To sing out of tune, or figuratively, to clash with the surroundings.
Ese sofá rojo desentona en esta sala minimalista.
La soprano va a interpretar un aria de Mozart.
El criminal decidió confesar todo al juez.
How Formal Is It?
難易度
知っておくべき文法
Regular -ar verb conjugation in present tense.
Using indirect object pronouns (le canto a ella).
The difference between transitive and intransitive verbs.
Preterite vs. Imperfect (canté vs. cantaba).
Subjunctive mood for desires (quiero que cantes).
レベル別の例文
Yo canto en la ducha todos los días.
I sing in the shower every day.
Present tense, first person singular (yo).
Ella canta una canción muy bonita.
She sings a very pretty song.
Present tense, third person singular (ella).
Nosotros cantamos en la escuela.
We sing at school.
Present tense, first person plural (nosotros).
¿Te gusta cantar?
Do you like to sing?
Infinitive form used after the verb gustar.
El pájaro canta por la mañana.
The bird sings in the morning.
Present tense, third person singular. In Spanish, birds 'sing'.
Ellos cantan muy bien.
They sing very well.
Present tense, third person plural (ellos) with an adverb of manner.
Mi hermano no canta nada.
My brother doesn't sing at all.
Negative sentence in the present tense.
Vamos a cantar el cumpleaños feliz.
We are going to sing happy birthday.
Ir a + infinitive to express near future.
Ayer canté en el karaoke con mis amigos.
Yesterday I sang at karaoke with my friends.
Preterite tense, first person singular for a completed past action.
Cuando era niño, cantaba en un coro.
When I was a boy, I used to sing in a choir.
Imperfect tense, first person singular for a habitual past action.
¿Cantaste en la fiesta anoche?
Did you sing at the party last night?
Preterite tense, second person singular.
Los niños cantaban mientras jugaban.
The children were singing while they played.
Imperfect tense used for an ongoing action in the past.
Mañana cantaré en el teatro.
Tomorrow I will sing in the theater.
Future tense, first person singular.
Ella siempre canta canciones tristes.
She always sings sad songs.
Present tense with an adverb of frequency (siempre).
No quiero cantar frente a tanta gente.
I don't want to sing in front of so many people.
Infinitive used after a conjugated verb (querer).
El gallo cantó a las seis de la mañana.
The rooster crowed at six in the morning.
Preterite tense. Note that roosters 'cantar' in Spanish.
Espero que cantes en mi boda.
I hope you sing at my wedding.
Present subjunctive (cantes) triggered by hope/desire (espero que).
Si tuviera tiempo, cantaría en una banda.
If I had time, I would sing in a band.
Conditional tense (cantaría) in a hypothetical situation.
Estábamos cantando cuando se fue la luz.
We were singing when the power went out.
Past continuous (estábamos cantando) interrupted by a preterite action.
Me ha dicho que no va a cantar hoy.
He has told me that he is not going to sing today.
Present perfect (ha dicho) with near future (va a cantar).
El sospechoso por fin cantó y dijo la verdad.
The suspect finally confessed and told the truth.
Figurative use of cantar meaning 'to confess' in the preterite.
No cantes victoria todavía, el partido no ha terminado.
Don't claim victory yet, the game isn't over.
Negative imperative (no cantes) in an idiomatic expression.
Me fascina la forma en que cantan esos artistas.
The way those artists sing fascinates me.
Present tense used with a verb of emotion (fascinar).
Habría cantado si me lo hubieras pedido.
I would have sung if you had asked me.
Conditional perfect (habría cantado) in a past hypothetical.
Dudo mucho que el coro cante esa pieza tan difícil.
I highly doubt the choir will sing that difficult piece.
Present subjunctive (cante) triggered by doubt (dudar).
Le canté las cuarenta por haberme mentido.
I gave him a piece of my mind for having lied to me.
Idiom 'cantar las cuarenta' meaning to scold or tell someone off.
Esa combinación de colores canta demasiado.
That color combination clashes too much.
Colloquial use of cantar meaning to stand out or clash visually.
Por mucho que le pregunten, no creo que cante.
No matter how much they ask him, I don't think he will confess.
Present subjunctive (cante) used for figurative meaning (confess) after negative belief.
Estuvo cantando bajo la lluvia hasta que se resfrió.
He was singing in the rain until he caught a cold.
Past continuous (estuvo cantando) showing duration.
Es imprescindible que cantemos al unísono.
It is essential that we sing in unison.
Present subjunctive (cantemos) triggered by impersonal expression of necessity.
Aquel día, el tenor cantó como los ángeles.
That day, the tenor sang like the angels.
Preterite tense with a simile for emphasis.
Si cantaras con más sentimiento, conectarías con el público.
If you sang with more feeling, you would connect with the audience.
Imperfect subjunctive (cantaras) in an if-clause.
El político cantó de plano ante el juez de instrucción.
The politician confessed everything outright to the investigating judge.
Idiom 'cantar de plano' meaning to confess absolutely everything.
Su actitud complaciente canta a kilómetros de distancia.
His complacent attitude is obvious from miles away.
Colloquial use 'cantar a kilómetros' meaning to be glaringly obvious.
No es coser y cantar, requiere años de dedicación.
It's not a piece of cake; it requires years of dedication.
Idiom 'coser y cantar' meaning something very easy.
Me sacó de quicio y le tuve que cantar las cuarenta.
He drove me crazy and I had to tell him off.
Advanced use of the idiom 'cantar las cuarenta' integrated with 'sacar de quicio'.
El poema épico fue cantado por los juglares medievales.
The epic poem was sung by medieval minstrels.
Passive voice (fue cantado) in a historical/literary context.
A menos que cante otro gallo, las reglas seguirán siendo las mismas.
Unless things change drastically, the rules will remain the same.
Idiom 'otro gallo cantaría' adapted into a subjunctive clause.
La mancha en la alfombra canta muchísimo, hay que limpiarla.
The stain on the rug stands out a lot, we have to clean it.
Colloquial use of cantar for something visually jarring.
Se pasó la tarde tarareando, sin llegar a cantar la letra.
He spent the afternoon humming, without actually singing the lyrics.
Contrasting 'cantar' with its synonym 'tararear'.
Esa excusa canta a chamusquina; nadie se la va a creer.
That excuse smells fishy; no one is going to believe it.
Highly colloquial idiom 'cantar a chamusquina' meaning to be suspicious.
Si hubieran invertido bien, otro gallo les cantaría hoy.
If they had invested well, things would be very different for them today.
Idiom 'otro gallo cantaría' meaning the situation would be completely different.
El cantautor desgranó sus penas cantando a capela.
The singer-songwriter poured out his sorrows singing a cappella.
Advanced vocabulary (desgranar, a capela) combined with the gerund.
Es un secreto a voces, todo el mundo sabe quién cantó a la prensa.
It's an open secret, everyone knows who leaked to the press.
Figurative meaning 'to leak/confess' used in a complex social context.
El diseño del edificio canta en medio de tanta arquitectura clásica.
The building's design is an eyesore amidst so much classical architecture.
Cantar used to mean a severe visual clash or eyesore.
No me vengas con milongas, que ya me sé lo que vas a cantar.
Don't give me excuses, I already know what you're going to say/confess.
Combining idioms ('venir con milongas') with the figurative use of cantar.
La soprano acometió el aria con una técnica vocal que hizo cantar hasta al silencio.
The soprano tackled the aria with a vocal technique that made even the silence sing.
Poetic, literary use of cantar to express profound beauty.
Se creía intocable hasta que su mano derecha cantó de plano ante el fiscal.
He thought he was untouchable until his right-hand man confessed everything to the prosecutor.
Complex narrative sentence using 'cantar de plano'.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
よく混同される語
慣用句と表現
間違えやすい
文型パターン
使い方
Always use 'cantar' for birds, roosters, and frogs. Do not use 'hablar' or 'hacer ruido' unless describing a specific non-musical sound.
For playing music on a stereo, use 'poner música', not 'cantar música'.
The literal meaning is universally understood, but the figurative meanings (confess, clash) are highly context-dependent and more common in Spain than in some parts of Latin America.
- Using 'cantar' for playing musical instruments instead of 'tocar'.
- Forgetting the indirect object pronoun when singing to someone (saying 'Canto a ella' instead of 'Le canto a ella').
- Confusing 'cantar' (to sing) with 'contar' (to count/tell) due to similar spelling.
- Translating 'chant' directly to 'cantar' when 'corear' is more appropriate.
- Taking idioms like 'cantar las cuarenta' literally and getting confused in conversation.
ヒント
Regular Conjugation
Memorize 'cantar' as your baseline for all regular -ar verbs. If you know 'cantar', you know hundreds of other verbs.
False Friends Avoidance
Don't translate the English 'chant' directly to 'cantar' in religious or repetitive contexts; use 'corear' or 'recitar'.
Coser y Cantar
Use 'Es coser y cantar' when someone asks if a task is difficult. It instantly makes you sound more fluent.
El Gordo
If you are in Spain in December, watch the lottery on TV to hear the children literally 'cantar' the winning numbers.
Instruments vs. Voice
Always separate the voice from the instrument. Yo canto (I sing), pero yo toco la guitarra (but I play the guitar).
Police Slang
When watching Spanish crime shows (like La Casa de Papel), listen for 'cantar' when they interrogate hostages or suspects.
Singing TO someone
Always use the indirect object pronoun and 'a' when singing to someone: 'Le canto a mi madre'.
Animal Sounds
Expand your nature vocabulary by remembering that roosters (gallos) and frogs (ranas) 'cantan' in Spanish.
Visual Clashing
If your friend wears a terrible outfit, jokingly tell them 'Esa camisa canta mucho' to practice the figurative meaning.
Stress the End
When using the infinitive, make sure to punch the last syllable: can-TAR. This distinguishes it from conjugated forms.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of a CAN of TAR that you step in, and it makes you SING out loud in surprise. CAN-TAR = to sing.
語源
Latin
文化的な背景
In Spain, the children of San Ildefonso 'cantan' the numbers of the massive Christmas lottery, a beloved national tradition.
The idiom 'cantar las cuarenta' originates from a traditional Spanish card game called Tute, where declaring 40 points is a bold, aggressive move.
In many Latin American countries, 'cantar' is central to celebrations, with karaoke and live music being staples of family gatherings.
実生活で練習する
実際の使用場面
会話のきっかけ
"¿Te gusta cantar en la ducha?"
"¿Cuál es tu canción favorita para cantar en el karaoke?"
"¿Alguna vez has cantado en público?"
"¿Tocas algún instrumento o solo cantas?"
"¿Qué cantante famoso te gustaría conocer?"
日記のテーマ
Describe la última vez que cantaste frente a otras personas.
Escribe sobre una canción que siempre te hace cantar cuando la escuchas.
¿Qué significa para ti la expresión 'cantar las cuarenta'? ¿Alguna vez se lo has hecho a alguien?
Imagina que eres un pájaro. Describe por qué cantas cada mañana.
Escribe una historia corta donde un criminal decide 'cantar' a la policía.
よくある質問
10 問Yes, 'cantar' is a completely regular -ar verb in all tenses and moods. It follows the exact same pattern as 'hablar' or 'bailar'.
No. In Spanish, you use the verb 'tocar' for playing musical instruments. 'Cantar' is strictly for using the voice.
It is a common idiom in Spain that means to scold someone severely or tell them off. It originates from a card game.
Yes, in Spanish, birds, roosters, frogs, and crickets are all said to 'cantar' (sing) rather than chirp, crow, or croak.
In colloquial Spanish, if an inanimate object 'canta', it means it is glaringly obvious, ugly, or clashes with its surroundings.
You say 'Soy cantante'. Do not say 'Soy un cantador' unless you are referring to a very specific type of traditional folk singer.
'Cantar' means to sing, usually with words. 'Tararear' means to hum a tune without opening your mouth or using words.
Yes, in slang or police contexts, 'cantar' means to confess or snitch, similar to 'singing to the cops' in English.
The act of singing or a song can be 'el canto'. A specific song is 'la canción'.
It is an idiom that translates literally to 'sewing and singing', but it means that a task is extremely easy, like 'a piece of cake'.
自分をテスト 180 問
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
While 'cantar' primarily means 'to sing', its figurative uses—meaning to confess a secret or to be glaringly obvious—are essential for mastering conversational Spanish.
- To sing a song.
- To confess a secret.
- To stand out or clash visually.
- A regular -ar verb.
Regular Conjugation
Memorize 'cantar' as your baseline for all regular -ar verbs. If you know 'cantar', you know hundreds of other verbs.
False Friends Avoidance
Don't translate the English 'chant' directly to 'cantar' in religious or repetitive contexts; use 'corear' or 'recitar'.
Coser y Cantar
Use 'Es coser y cantar' when someone asks if a task is difficult. It instantly makes you sound more fluent.
El Gordo
If you are in Spain in December, watch the lottery on TV to hear the children literally 'cantar' the winning numbers.
関連コンテンツ
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artsの関連語
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A2映画や演劇で役を演じる人（俳優・女優）。その俳優はとても有名です。
actriz
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actuar
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aplaudir
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aplauso
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