contable in 30 Seconds
- Contable means 'countable' in grammar and 'accounting-related' in business settings.
- It is a gender-neutral adjective that adds an 's' for plural forms (contables).
- In Spain, it is also frequently used as a noun meaning 'accountant'.
- Common collocations include 'sustantivo contable' and 'ejercicio contable'.
The Spanish word contable is a versatile adjective that primarily functions in two distinct spheres: linguistics and finance. At its core, it describes something that can be counted or calculated. In a grammatical context, it is the direct equivalent of the English term 'countable,' referring to nouns that represent individual entities that can be enumerated (like 'libro' or 'persona'). In the professional and economic world, it describes anything pertaining to accounting or bookkeeping. Understanding this duality is essential for intermediate learners because while the word looks like 'countable,' its frequent appearance in business documents often refers to 'accounting' matters.
- Grammatical Utility
- In Spanish linguistics, we distinguish between sustantivos contables (countable nouns) and sustantivos no contables (uncountable or mass nouns). This distinction determines which quantifiers, such as 'muchos' or 'pocos,' can be used with a noun.
La palabra 'manzana' es un nombre contable porque podemos decir 'tres manzanas'.
- Financial Context
- When used in a business setting, it refers to the systematic recording and reporting of financial transactions. Phrases like 'ejercicio contable' (accounting period) or 'registro contable' (accounting record) are ubiquitous in Spanish corporate environments.
Debemos cerrar el ejercicio contable antes de que termine el mes de diciembre.
Beyond these two main pillars, 'contable' carries the weight of precision. Whether you are counting apples in a primary school classroom or auditing a multi-million dollar corporation, the word implies a level of structure and quantifiability. It suggests that the subject is not vague or nebulous, but rather something that fits into a defined system of measurement. In advanced Spanish, you might encounter it in philosophical discussions about what is 'contable' (measurable) versus what is 'inconmensurable' (immeasurable), such as human emotions or the vastness of the universe.
El éxito no siempre es algo contable a través de simples números de ventas.
- Mathematical Nuance
- In mathematics, it relates to sets. A set is 'contable' (denumerable) if its elements can be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the set of natural numbers.
En matemáticas superiores, estudiamos si un conjunto es finito o contable infinito.
El sistema contable de la empresa fue auditado por una firma externa el año pasado.
Using contable correctly requires an awareness of the noun it modifies. Since it ends in '-e', it is gender-neutral, meaning it stays the same whether the noun is masculine (un registro contable) or feminine (una normativa contable). Its position usually follows the noun, which is standard for descriptive adjectives in Spanish. However, its meaning shifts significantly depending on the domain of the conversation. Let us explore the nuances of its application across different sentence structures and contexts to ensure you can deploy it with confidence.
- Linguistic Application
- When talking about language, 'contable' describes nouns that have a plural form and can be used with cardinal numbers. You will often see this in textbooks paired with 'sustantivo' or 'nombre'.
¿Es el sustantivo 'leche' contable o no contable en este contexto gramatical?
- Business and Accounting
- In a professional setting, 'contable' describes the mechanisms of financial tracking. It is frequently paired with 'ejercicio,' 'asiento,' 'plan,' or 'gestión' to denote various aspects of bookkeeping.
El nuevo software facilita la gestión contable de las pequeñas y medianas empresas.
Furthermore, 'contable' can be used to describe the nature of information. If data is 'contable,' it means it is ready to be entered into an accounting system. Conversely, if something is 'no contable' in a general sense, it might mean it is too vague to be measured. In the legal and administrative world, 'normativa contable' refers to the set of rules that govern how financial statements must be prepared. This is a very common phrase in Spanish news regarding the economy.
La reforma de la ley contable afectará a todos los autónomos a partir del próximo año.
- Abstract and Philosophical Use
- Sometimes, 'contable' is used to describe things that can be enumerated for the sake of an argument or a list, even if they aren't physical objects.
Hay un número contable de razones por las cuales este proyecto no funcionará.
El balance contable muestra una pérdida significativa en el tercer trimestre del año.
The word contable is not just a dry term found in dictionaries; it is a living part of Spanish discourse across several environments. If you are a student in a Spanish language school, you will hear it daily during grammar lessons. If you work in an office in Madrid, Mexico City, or Buenos Aires, you will hear it during end-of-month meetings. If you follow the news, you will hear it whenever the government discusses tax reforms or corporate scandals. Its prevalence makes it a 'high-yield' word for anyone looking to move beyond basic conversational Spanish into professional or academic fluency.
- In the Educational Setting
- Teachers use it to explain why you say 'muchos amigos' but 'mucho tiempo.' It is the foundation of quantifying the world around you in a new language.
Recuerden que en español, el dinero no es un sustantivo contable, aunque las monedas sí lo son.
- In the Corporate World
- Offices are full of 'contable' references. From the 'departamento contable' (accounting department) to 'auditoría contable' (accounting audit), it is the language of business health and transparency.
Necesito que el equipo contable revise estas facturas antes de las cinco de la tarde.
You will also encounter 'contable' in the context of legal disputes. When a judge asks for a 'peritaje contable' (accounting expert report), they are asking for a professional analysis of financial records to determine if a crime like embezzlement or fraud has occurred. In this sense, 'contable' becomes a word associated with law, order, and truth-finding. Even in casual conversation, someone might say, 'Eso no es contable,' metaphorically suggesting that something is so chaotic or vast that it cannot be organized or measured, though this is a more creative use of the term.
El peritaje contable reveló que hubo una desviación de fondos en la tesorería.
- News and Media
- Financial journalists use it to describe the 'cierre contable' (accounting close) of major banks or the national budget, making it vital for understanding the economy.
La empresa anunció un beneficio récord en su último informe contable anual.
La normativa contable internacional busca estandarizar los reportes financieros globales.
Learning to use contable involves navigating a few linguistic traps. Because the word has a very specific meaning in grammar and a very specific meaning in business, learners often apply it too broadly or confuse it with related words. The most common error is the 'False Friend' confusion between the English word 'countable' and the Spanish 'contable' when referring to people. While 'contable' can mean 'accountant' (the person), it never means 'a person who counts' in a general sense. Let's look at where students typically go wrong and how to avoid these pitfalls.
- Confusion with 'Contador'
- In many Latin American countries, the person who does the accounting is called a 'contador.' Learners sometimes think 'contable' is only an adjective and 'contador' is the only noun. In Spain, 'contable' is frequently used as the noun for the professional. Using 'contador' in Spain or 'contable' in Mexico is usually understood, but might sound slightly off depending on the region.
Incorrecto: Mi hermano es un persona contable. (Should be: Mi hermano es contable / contador).
- The 'Countable' vs 'Counted' Trap
- Students often confuse 'contable' with 'contado.' 'Contado' is the past participle of 'contar' (to count). If you want to say 'the money has been counted,' you say 'el dinero ha sido contado,' not 'el dinero es contable.' The latter would mean the money is capable of being counted (which is a grammatical property, not a state of completion).
Incorrecto: Las sillas ya están contables. (Should be: Las sillas ya están contadas).
Another error occurs in the pluralization of nouns. Learners often forget that 'contable' is an adjective that must agree with the noun. While 'contable' doesn't change for gender, it must change for number. Forgetting the 's' in 'registros contables' is a common B1-level mistake. Additionally, in grammar, students often misclassify 'uncountable' nouns. For example, 'gente' (people) is a singular noun in Spanish and is considered 'no contable' in terms of its grammatical behavior (you don't say 'dos gentes' in standard Spanish), even though you can count the individuals. This conceptual mismatch often leads to the misuse of 'contable' in linguistics discussions.
Incorrecto: Estos son errores contable muy graves. (Correcto: errores contables).
- Overusing it for 'Calculable'
- While 'contable' means countable, if you are talking about complex mathematical calculations, 'calculable' or 'computable' might be more appropriate. 'Contable' is usually reserved for simple enumeration or formal accounting.
El riesgo es calculable, no simplemente contable.
La información contable debe ser veraz y estar debidamente documentada.
To truly master contable, it is helpful to see how it sits alongside its synonyms and related terms. Depending on whether you are in a linguistics class or a boardroom, you might choose a different word to be more precise. Spanish is a rich language with many specific terms for 'counting' and 'finance.' Exploring these alternatives will help you avoid repetition and sound more like a native speaker. Let's compare 'contable' with other words that occupy similar semantic space.
- Contable vs Numerable
- 'Numerable' is a very close synonym to 'contable' in the sense of being able to be counted. However, 'numerable' is often used in more formal or mathematical contexts. In everyday grammar, 'contable' is far more common.
Las estrellas visibles a simple vista son un conjunto numerable.
- Contable vs Financiero
- While 'contable' refers specifically to the recording of transactions (bookkeeping), 'financiero' (financial) is a broader term that includes investment, banking, and wealth management. A 'contable' report is about what happened; a 'financiero' report might be about future strategy.
El director financiero analizó los datos del balance contable.
In the business world, you might also hear 'fiscal.' While 'contable' refers to the internal records of a company, 'fiscal' refers specifically to things related to taxes and the government. A 'cierre contable' is for the company's eyes, but a 'cierre fiscal' is for the tax man. Another alternative is 'administrativo,' which relates to the general management of an office. While accounting is part of administration, 'administrativo' is a much wider umbrella. Knowing these distinctions prevents you from using 'contable' as a catch-all for every office-related task.
La auditoría fiscal fue mucho más estricta que la revisión contable interna.
- Calculable vs Estimable
- If you are talking about something that can be calculated using a formula, use 'calculable.' If it is something that can be valued or appreciated, use 'estimable.'
El daño causado a la imagen de la marca no es fácilmente contable.
Utilizamos un sistema computarizado para llevar el registro contable diario.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The word 'computer' in English and 'computadora' in Spanish share the same Latin root 'computare' as 'contable'.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it like the English 'countable'.
- Putting the stress on the first syllable.
- Pronouncing the 'e' at the end like an English silent 'e'.
- Softening the 't' too much; in Spanish, 't' is dental.
- Confusing the 'b' with a 'v' sound (though they are very similar in Spanish).
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize because it looks like 'countable', but requires context to distinguish between grammar and finance.
Simple spelling, but must remember the 's' for plural agreement.
Stress is on the second syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers.
Clearly pronounced in most dialects.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Agreement of Adjectives
Los libros (masculine plural) son contables (plural).
Quantifiers with Countable Nouns
Usamos 'muchos/muchas' con nombres contables (muchas sillas).
Quantifiers with Uncountable Nouns
Usamos 'mucho/mucha' con nombres no contables (mucha agua).
Pluralization of Nouns
Solo los sustantivos contables suelen tener una forma plural estándar.
Use of 'Lo' with Adjectives
'Lo contable' se refiere a la categoría abstracta de lo que se puede contar.
Examples by Level
El libro es un nombre contable.
The book is a countable noun.
'Libro' is masculine, but 'contable' does not change its ending.
Tengo tres manzanas contables.
I have three countable apples.
Plural nouns like 'manzanas' take the plural adjective 'contables'.
Mi padre es contable.
My father is an accountant.
Here 'contable' is used as a noun for a profession.
El agua no es contable.
Water is not countable.
Mass nouns like 'agua' are typically 'no contables'.
Hay muchas sillas contables aquí.
There are many countable chairs here.
Shows the agreement between 'sillas' and 'contables'.
Ella estudia para ser contable.
She is studying to be an accountant.
Another example of 'contable' as a noun.
Un gato es un animal contable.
A cat is a countable animal.
Simple identification of a countable entity.
No puedo contar el azúcar, no es contable.
I cannot count sugar, it is not countable.
Explaining why a noun is 'no contable'.
En español, 'gente' no es un nombre contable.
In Spanish, 'people' is not a countable noun.
'Gente' is singular, so it is grammatically 'no contable' in terms of pluralization.
Necesito un cuaderno contable para mi clase.
I need an accounting notebook for my class.
Adjective 'contable' describing a type of notebook.
Los sustantivos contables tienen plural.
Countable nouns have a plural form.
Basic rule for A2 learners.
Él trabaja en el departamento contable.
He works in the accounting department.
'Contable' modifies 'departamento'.
¿Cuántos nombres contables hay en esta frase?
How many countable nouns are there in this sentence?
Using 'contable' in a question about grammar.
La leche es un ejemplo de algo no contable.
Milk is an example of something uncountable.
Contrast between contable and no contable.
Mi tía es la contable de la tienda.
My aunt is the accountant of the shop.
Noun use in a specific workplace context.
Escribe una lista de diez palabras contables.
Write a list of ten countable words.
Task-based use of the word.
El ejercicio contable termina en diciembre.
The accounting period ends in December.
'Ejercicio contable' is a common business collocation.
Debemos revisar el balance contable de la empresa.
We must review the company's accounting balance.
'Balance contable' refers to the financial statement.
Es importante distinguir entre nombres contables y de masa.
It is important to distinguish between countable and mass nouns.
'Nombres de masa' is a synonym for 'no contables'.
La empresa contrató a un nuevo asesor contable.
The company hired a new accounting advisor.
'Asesor contable' is a common job title.
Hubo un error contable en la factura de ayer.
There was an accounting error in yesterday's invoice.
Describing a specific type of mistake.
El sistema contable es muy difícil de usar.
The accounting system is very difficult to use.
'Sistema contable' refers to software or methodology.
Las leyes contables han cambiado este año.
The accounting laws have changed this year.
Plural agreement: 'leyes' (feminine) and 'contables'.
Ella tiene una gran habilidad contable.
She has great accounting ability.
Using 'contable' to describe a skill.
El plan general contable es la base de la finanza en España.
The general accounting plan is the basis of finance in Spain.
Refers to a specific regulatory framework.
La auditoría contable no encontró ninguna irregularidad.
The accounting audit did not find any irregularity.
'Auditoría contable' is a formal process.
Cada asiento contable debe estar justificado con un recibo.
Every accounting entry must be justified with a receipt.
'Asiento contable' is the technical term for a single entry.
La transparencia contable es vital para los inversores.
Accounting transparency is vital for investors.
Abstract noun modified by 'contable'.
El peritaje contable fue clave en el juicio por fraude.
The accounting expert report was key in the fraud trial.
'Peritaje contable' is a legal/forensic term.
Los registros contables se guardan durante seis años.
Accounting records are kept for six years.
Plural noun and adjective agreement.
La normativa contable internacional es muy compleja.
International accounting regulations are very complex.
Refers to global standards like IFRS.
Necesitamos un cierre contable antes de las vacaciones.
We need an accounting close before the holidays.
'Cierre contable' is the process of finalizing accounts.
La consolidación contable de las filiales fue un proceso arduo.
The accounting consolidation of the subsidiaries was an arduous process.
Technical term for merging financial statements.
Existen discrepancias entre la base imponible y el resultado contable.
There are discrepancies between the tax base and the accounting result.
Refers to the difference between tax law and accounting rules.
El análisis de la contabilidad revela un desequilibrio patrimonial.
The analysis of the accounting reveals a net worth imbalance.
Using the noun 'contabilidad' in a high-level context.
La ética contable es fundamental para evitar la corrupción.
Accounting ethics is fundamental to avoid corruption.
Focuses on the moral aspect of the profession.
La digitalización ha transformado el ciclo contable tradicional.
Digitalization has transformed the traditional accounting cycle.
'Ciclo contable' refers to the full sequence of accounting steps.
El devengo es un principio contable básico.
Accrual is a basic accounting principle.
'Principio contable' is a standard rule of practice.
La valoración contable de los activos intangibles es subjetiva.
The accounting valuation of intangible assets is subjective.
Discussing complex financial valuation.
Se requiere una memoria contable detallada para la subvención.
A detailed accounting report is required for the grant.
'Memoria contable' is a specific type of explanatory document.
La ontología de lo contable se debate en la filosofía de la economía.
The ontology of the countable is debated in the philosophy of economics.
Using 'lo contable' as an abstract noun phrase.
El conjunto de los números racionales es un conjunto contable.
The set of rational numbers is a countable set.
Highly technical use in mathematics (set theory).
La armonización contable europea busca la plena convergencia.
European accounting harmonization seeks full convergence.
Political and economic high-level discourse.
La reexpresión contable fue necesaria tras la hiperinflación.
Accounting restatement was necessary after hyperinflation.
Technical term for adjusting accounts due to inflation.
El rigor contable es la salvaguarda de la fe pública económica.
Accounting rigor is the safeguard of economic public trust.
Elevated, formal rhetorical style.
La dualidad contable es la piedra angular de la partida doble.
Accounting duality is the cornerstone of double-entry bookkeeping.
Fundamental theory of accounting.
Las asimetrías en la información contable distorsionan el mercado.
Asymmetries in accounting information distort the market.
Economic theory application.
La contabilidad creativa es a menudo un eufemismo para el fraude.
Creative accounting is often a euphemism for fraud.
Idiomatic/professional expression for manipulation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To do the bookkeeping or manage the accounts of a business.
Mi hermana lleva la contabilidad de la empresa familiar.
— The process of finalizing the accounts at the end of a period.
Estamos muy ocupados con el cierre contable del año.
— The section of a company responsible for financial records.
Envía la factura directamente al departamento contable.
— The software or method used for accounting.
Nuestro sistema contable es un poco antiguo.
— A report summarizing financial data.
El informe contable fue presentado a la junta directiva.
— A check or review of the financial records.
Haremos una revisión contable la próxima semana.
— The overall management of accounting tasks.
La gestión contable es fundamental para el éxito.
— An expert accounting investigation, usually for legal reasons.
El juez solicitó un peritaje contable.
— A correction or adjustment made to an account.
Tuvimos que hacer un ajuste contable por la depreciación.
— A document explaining the financial statements in detail.
La memoria contable aclara el origen de las pérdidas.
Often Confused With
Contado is the past participle (counted) or refers to cash payment (al contado).
Contador is the person (accountant) in Latin America, whereas 'contable' is used in Spain.
Cuentista refers to a storyteller or sometimes a liar, not someone who counts or does accounting.
Idioms & Expressions
— Clear accounts (and honesty about money) keep friendships lasting a long time.
Préstame el dinero, pero firmemos un papel; cuentas claras, amistades largas.
informal/proverb— To wipe the slate clean and start over.
Olvidemos nuestras peleas y hagamos borrón y cuenta nueva.
informal— When things don't add up or a plan isn't working out as expected.
Quería comprar el coche, pero no me salen las cuentas.
informal— To settle a score or get revenge.
Después de lo que me hizo, vamos a ajustar las cuentas.
informal/aggressive— To demand an explanation or accountability.
El jefe me pidió cuentas sobre el retraso del proyecto.
neutral— To suddenly realize something.
De repente caí en la cuenta de que me había dejado las llaves.
neutral— On one's own or at one's own expense.
El viaje corre por cuenta de la empresa.
neutral— To take into consideration.
Hay que tener en cuenta el clima antes de salir.
neutralEasily Confused
They sound similar and share the same root.
'Contable' is the ability to be counted or related to accounting. 'Contado' is the action of having been counted.
El dinero está contado (counted), pero el sistema es contable (accounting).
One is an adjective/noun, the other is the abstract noun for the field.
'Contable' describes a thing or person. 'Contabilidad' is the name of the profession or the records themselves.
Estudio contabilidad para ser contable.
Both relate to counting.
'Cuenta' is the specific account or the act of counting. 'Contable' is the adjective describing the nature of something.
Tengo una cuenta en el banco contable.
Both involve numbers.
'Contable' is for discrete items (1, 2, 3). 'Calculable' is for things that need a formula.
La distancia es calculable, las sillas son contables.
Both appear in business.
'Contable' is for internal records. 'Fiscal' is for taxes and laws.
El cierre contable es hoy, el fiscal es mañana.
Sentence Patterns
El [noun] es contable.
El coche es contable.
No es un sustantivo contable.
El aire no es un sustantivo contable.
Necesitamos un [noun] contable.
Necesitamos un registro contable.
Debido a un error contable, [consequence].
Debido a un error contable, perdimos dinero.
La normativa contable exige que [action].
La normativa contable exige que declaremos los beneficios.
El análisis del balance contable revela [finding].
El análisis del balance contable revela una deuda alta.
Bajo el prisma de la dualidad contable, [theory].
Bajo el prisma de la dualidad contable, cada cargo tiene un abono.
La reexpresión contable se deriva de [cause].
La reexpresión contable se deriva de la inflación galopante.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in both academic and business Spanish.
-
Using 'mucho' with contable nouns.
→
Muchos libros.
Countable nouns require the plural form of the quantifier.
-
Saying 'el contable' for a woman.
→
La contable.
The article must change even if the noun 'contable' does not.
-
Confusing 'contable' with 'contado'.
→
Pagar al contado / Registro contable.
'Al contado' is for cash; 'contable' is for accounting/countability.
-
Forgetting plural agreement.
→
Informes contables.
Adjectives must match the number of the noun they modify.
-
Using 'contable' for 'calculable' in high math.
→
Un riesgo calculable.
'Contable' is usually for simple units, 'calculable' for complex values.
Tips
Quantifier Trick
If you can use 'muchos' or 'pocos' with a noun, it's a 'sustantivo contable'. If you have to use 'mucho' or 'poco', it's 'no contable'.
Job Titles
If you are in Spain, say 'Soy contable'. If you are in Mexico, say 'Soy contador'. Both are correct, but regional preference varies.
The 'E' Ending
Remember that adjectives ending in 'e' like 'contable' are gender-neutral. One less thing to worry about!
Business Context
In a company, 'contable' is almost always about money. In a classroom, it's almost always about grammar.
Dental T
Touch your teeth with your tongue when you say the 't' in 'contable'. It sounds much more native than the English 't'.
Root Word
Link 'contable' to 'contar' (to count). If you can count it, it's contable.
Not 'Counted'
Don't say 'Las sillas son contables' if you mean they have already been counted. Say 'Las sillas están contadas'.
Regional Nuance
In some countries, 'contable' might sound more administrative, while 'contador' sounds more like a high-level professional.
Email Tip
When emailing a finance department, use 'Estimados compañeros del departamento contable' for a professional tone.
Set Theory
If you study math in Spanish, 'conjunto contable' is a key term for countable sets.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Count' sitting at a 'Table' doing his taxes. He is a 'Count-able' (contable).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant calculator sitting on a table next to a pile of apples. The apples are 'contables' and the calculator is for 'contabilidad'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find 5 things in your room that are 'contables' and 2 things that are 'no contables' and say them out loud in Spanish.
Word Origin
Derived from the Spanish verb 'contar' (to count), which comes from the Latin 'computare'.
Original meaning: The Latin 'computare' meant 'to calculate' or 'to reckon together'.
Romance (Latin-derived).Cultural Context
No specific sensitivities; the word is neutral and professional.
English speakers often only think of 'countable' as a grammar term, whereas in Spanish, it is equally or more common as a business term.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Grammar Class
- ¿Es contable o no contable?
- Sustantivo contable
- Nombres de masa
- Reglas de pluralización
Business Meeting
- Cierre contable
- Balance de situación
- Registro de gastos
- Auditoría externa
Tax Season
- Declaración de la renta
- Asesor contable
- Facturas y recibos
- Deducciones fiscales
Mathematics
- Conjunto contable
- Infinito contable
- Enumeración de elementos
- Cálculo numérico
Job Interview
- Experiencia contable
- Manejo de software contable
- Gestión de cuentas
- Habilidades analíticas
Conversation Starters
"¿Crees que es difícil ser contable en este país?"
"¿Sabes si la palabra 'azúcar' es contable o no?"
"¿Cómo llevas el registro contable de tus gastos personales?"
"¿Alguna vez has tenido un error contable en tu cuenta bancaria?"
"¿Qué opinas de la importancia de la transparencia contable en las empresas?"
Journal Prompts
Describe cómo sería un día en la vida de un contable muy ocupado.
Explica la diferencia entre un sustantivo contable y uno no contable con ejemplos.
Escribe sobre una vez que tuviste que ajustar tus cuentas personales.
¿Por qué crees que la normativa contable es tan estricta?
Si pudieras contar algo que normalmente es incontable, ¿qué sería?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsSí, en España es muy común usar 'contable' como sustantivo para referirse a la persona que trabaja en contabilidad. En América Latina, se prefiere 'contador'.
'Contable' significa que se puede contar (como manzanas). 'Incontable' significa que no se puede contar, ya sea por su naturaleza (como el aire) o porque hay demasiados (como las estrellas).
No, en español 'dinero' es un sustantivo no contable. No decimos 'dos dineros'. Sin embargo, 'moneda' y 'billete' sí son contables.
Se dice 'contabilidad'. El adjetivo relacionado es 'contable'.
No, 'contable' termina en 'e', por lo que es igual para masculino y femenino. Solo cambia para el plural (contables).
Es una anotación en los libros de contabilidad que registra un movimiento económico.
'Numerable' es más formal y se usa a menudo en matemáticas para hablar de conjuntos de elementos.
El tiempo en sí no es contable ('mucho tiempo'), pero las unidades de tiempo como 'horas' o 'minutos' sí lo son.
Es el periodo de tiempo (normalmente un año) en el que una empresa divide su actividad económica.
Sí, si te refieres a una mujer que es contable, usas el artículo femenino 'la'.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Escribe una oración usando 'contable' como adjetivo para un sustantivo gramatical.
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Escribe una oración usando 'contable' para referirte a una profesión.
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Explica brevemente qué es un 'ejercicio contable'.
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Escribe una frase sobre un 'error contable'.
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Usa la palabra 'contables' (plural) en una oración profesional.
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Escribe una frase usando 'incontable'.
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¿Qué harías si fueras el contable de una gran empresa?
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Escribe un diálogo corto entre un jefe y un contable.
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Explica la diferencia entre 'contable' y 'no contable' con ejemplos.
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Usa 'normativa contable' en una frase formal.
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Escribe una frase sobre 'transparencia contable'.
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Escribe una oración con 'asiento contable'.
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¿Por qué es importante la contabilidad?
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Escribe una frase con 'valor contable'.
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Usa 'peritaje contable' en una frase sobre un juicio.
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Escribe una frase con 'contabilidad creativa'.
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Escribe una frase con 'cierre contable'.
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Usa 'contable' para describir un conjunto matemático.
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Escribe una frase con 'asesor contable'.
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Escribe una frase con 'memoria contable'.
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Pronuncia la palabra 'contable' enfatizando la segunda sílaba.
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Di en voz alta: 'La palabra libro es contable'.
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Explica con tus palabras qué hace un contable.
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Di tres sustantivos contables que hay en tu cocina.
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Di: 'Necesito el informe contable para mañana'.
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Explica por qué 'agua' no es un sustantivo contable.
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Di: 'El cierre contable fue muy difícil este año'.
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Pronuncia: 'Registros contables'.
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Describe un error contable que podrías cometer.
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Di: 'La normativa contable es muy compleja'.
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Explica qué es un 'asiento contable' a un amigo.
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Di: 'El peritaje contable fue clave en el juicio'.
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Habla sobre la importancia de la transparencia contable.
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Di: 'Borrón y cuenta nueva'.
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Explica la diferencia entre 'contable' y 'fiscal'.
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Di: 'Valor contable de los activos'.
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Habla sobre un conjunto contable infinito.
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Di: 'Armonización contable europea'.
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Resume en una frase qué es la contabilidad.
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Di: 'Cuentas claras, amistades largas'.
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¿Qué palabra escuchas? (Audio: contable)
¿Es contable o contador? (Audio: contador)
¿Qué tipo de error menciona? (Audio: Hubo un error contable)
¿De qué departamento hablan? (Audio: Pregunta en el departamento contable)
¿Qué fecha menciona para el cierre? (Audio: El cierre contable es el día treinta)
¿Qué palabra rima? (Audio: notable, contable)
¿Es singular o plural? (Audio: registros contables)
¿Qué profesional menciona? (Audio: Necesitamos un asesor contable)
¿Qué documento menciona? (Audio: Mira el balance contable)
¿Qué concepto explica? (Audio: Los nombres contables tienen plural)
¿Qué tipo de peritaje es? (Audio: El peritaje contable fue largo)
¿De qué plan habla? (Audio: Estudia el Plan General Contable)
¿Qué valor menciona? (Audio: El valor contable es bajo)
¿Qué tipo de transparencia pide? (Audio: Queremos transparencia contable)
¿Qué tipo de memoria es? (Audio: Lee la memoria contable)
Escribe una frase sobre la 'ética contable'.
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Summary
The word 'contable' is essential for both describing objects you can count and discussing business finances. Remember that 'sustantivo contable' (countable noun) is the key to using quantifiers correctly in Spanish grammar. Example: 'El dinero no es contable, pero las monedas sí lo son.'
- Contable means 'countable' in grammar and 'accounting-related' in business settings.
- It is a gender-neutral adjective that adds an 's' for plural forms (contables).
- In Spain, it is also frequently used as a noun meaning 'accountant'.
- Common collocations include 'sustantivo contable' and 'ejercicio contable'.
Quantifier Trick
If you can use 'muchos' or 'pocos' with a noun, it's a 'sustantivo contable'. If you have to use 'mucho' or 'poco', it's 'no contable'.
Job Titles
If you are in Spain, say 'Soy contable'. If you are in Mexico, say 'Soy contador'. Both are correct, but regional preference varies.
The 'E' Ending
Remember that adjectives ending in 'e' like 'contable' are gender-neutral. One less thing to worry about!
Business Context
In a company, 'contable' is almost always about money. In a classroom, it's almost always about grammar.
Example
Las manzanas son sustantivos contables.
Related Content
More numbers words
absoluto
A2Absolute (e.g., an absolute number).
agrupar
A2To group, to put into groups.
altamente
A2Highly.
ampliamente
A2Widely.
anotar
A2To note down, to write down (a number).
anual
A2Annual, yearly.
anualidad
A2Annuity, annual payment.
aproximado
B1Approximate.
aproximar
B1To approximate.
bancario
A2Banking (related to banks).
