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B1 verb #4,000 most common 9 min read

relatar

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips relatar in 30 Seconds

Explanation relatar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn the verb 'contar' to say 'to tell.' The word 'relatar' might be too advanced for most basic conversations, but you can understand it as a more formal way of saying 'to tell a story.' If you see it in a book, just think of it as 'telling' something in a detailed way. For example, if a child 'relata' what they did at school, they are giving a long and detailed explanation of their day. At this stage, you don't need to use it yourself, but recognizing it will help you read more formal texts. Focus on the fact that it ends in -ar, so it follows the same patterns as 'hablar' or 'estudiar.' You might see it in simple news headlines. It is a good word to have in your passive vocabulary as you start to explore more serious Spanish content beyond just basic greetings and daily needs.

By the A2 level, you are starting to tell stories in the past tense. While 'contar' is still your best friend, you might start to see 'relatar' in graded readers or short stories. It is used when the author wants to sound more like a professional narrator. You can start to use it in your writing when you want to describe a sequence of events, like 'Relaté mi viaje a mi familia.' It helps you distinguish between just 'saying' something (decir) and 'giving an account' of something (relatar). Remember that 'relatar' is always followed by what you are telling. You can practice by trying to 'relatar' a simple story you know well, focusing on the order of events. This will help you build the structure needed for higher levels of Spanish. It is a great way to start moving away from very simple verbs and adding variety to your descriptions of the past.

At the B1 level, 'relatar' becomes a very useful tool for your vocabulary. This is the level where you are expected to describe events, dreams, and ambitions in detail. 'Relatar' allows you to do this with a higher degree of formality. You should use it when writing reports, formal letters, or when giving a presentation in class. It shows that you understand the difference between casual and formal registers. You should also be aware that it is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. For example, 'El autor relata la vida de los campesinos.' At this level, you should also be comfortable using it in various tenses, especially the preterite and imperfect, as it is almost always used to describe finished or ongoing actions in the past. You might also encounter the noun form 'el relato,' which means 'the story' or 'the account.'

At the B2 level, you should use 'relatar' with confidence to distinguish your formal speech from your informal speech. In debates or essays, 'relatar' is much more appropriate than 'contar.' You should be able to use it to describe complex sequences of events and understand its nuances in journalistic and legal contexts. For instance, you might analyze how a journalist 'relata' a specific news event and whether their account is biased or objective. You should also be aware of common collocations like 'relatar pormenorizadamente' (to relate in great detail). At this level, you are expected to handle the passive voice and other complex structures, such as 'Los hechos fueron relatados por la prensa.' Using 'relatar' correctly in these contexts will help you achieve a more native-like flow in your academic and professional Spanish.

For C1 learners, 'relatar' is a standard part of a sophisticated vocabulary. You should use it to discuss literature, history, and social issues. You can explore its use in different literary styles, such as 'realismo mágico,' where authors 'relatan' extraordinary events as if they were everyday occurrences. You should also be able to distinguish 'relatar' from even more specific verbs like 'pormenorizar,' 'reseñar,' or 'crónica.' At this level, you might use 'relatarse' in a more abstract sense or in passive constructions to focus on the narrative itself rather than the narrator. Your ability to choose 'relatar' over 'contar' or 'decir' in a high-level essay on history or sociology will demonstrate your mastery of Spanish registers and your ability to convey precise meanings in complex texts. You should also be familiar with its etymological roots and how it relates to concepts of narrative structure.

At the C2 level, 'relatar' is used with complete stylistic control. You understand the subtle differences in tone it brings to a text compared to 'narrar' or 'referir.' You can use it in highly formal speeches, academic papers, or creative writing to evoke a specific narrative authority. You might analyze the 'acto de relatar' as a philosophical concept in literature or linguistics. Your usage should be flawless, incorporating it into complex sentences with multiple clauses and advanced grammatical structures. You should also be aware of its historical evolution in the Spanish language and how its usage has changed in different Spanish-speaking regions. At this level, 'relatar' is not just a verb you know; it is a tool you use to shape the register and impact of your communication, showing a deep appreciation for the nuances of the Spanish language's narrative capabilities.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

relatar in 30 Seconds

Relatar is a formal verb meaning 'to recount' or 'to relate' events in a structured, detailed narrative, distinct from the casual 'contar'.
It is primarily used in journalism, legal contexts, and literature to provide an objective or professional account of facts or stories.
The verb is regular in its -ar conjugation, making it easy to use once you understand its formal register and transitive nature.
A common pitfall is using it as 'to relate to' (empathize), which is incorrect in Spanish; it only refers to the act of telling.

The Spanish verb relatar is a sophisticated and precise term that translates most directly to 'to relate,' 'to recount,' or 'to tell' in English. While the common verb contar is used for everyday storytelling—like telling a joke or what you did over the weekend—relatar carries a more formal, structured, and objective weight. It implies a chronological or detailed rendering of facts or events. Imagine a journalist describing the sequence of a political event, a witness providing a statement to the police, or a historian documenting the fall of an empire; in these instances, relatar is the preferred choice. It suggests a certain level of seriousness and commitment to the truth of the narrative.

Narrative Precision: When you use this verb, you are not just chatting; you are providing an account that follows a specific sequence of occurrences. It is the difference between saying 'I told him a story' and 'I related the events of the day.'

El cronista procedió a relatar la historia de la fundación de la ciudad con gran detalle.

In literature, authors often use this verb to signal a shift toward a formal narrative voice. It is less about the emotional performance of the storyteller and more about the content being conveyed.

The Legal and Journalistic Sphere: In courtrooms or news broadcasts, this verb is ubiquitous. A witness might be asked to 'relatar los hechos' (recount the facts), emphasizing accuracy over entertainment. It is also used when a biography relates the life of a famous figure.

El testigo comenzó a relatar lo que vio durante la noche del crimen.

Es difícil relatar tanta tristeza en tan pocas palabras.

La abuela solía relatar sus aventuras de juventud durante las cenas familiares.

El libro se dedica a relatar los avances científicos del siglo veinte.

Objective vs. Subjective: While 'contar' can be subjective and involve personal feelings, 'relatar' aims for a more objective distance. It focuses on the 'what' and 'how' rather than just the 'why'. This makes it essential for formal documentation and historical accounts.

In summary, use this verb when the act of telling is a formal action, requiring a sequence of events and a certain level of descriptive detail. It elevates the conversation from a mere chat to a formal presentation of information.

Using relatar correctly involves understanding its transitive nature. It almost always requires a direct object—the thing being told. You can relate an anecdote, a story, a series of events, or a dream. Grammatically, it functions like most regular '-ar' verbs, making its conjugation straightforward for intermediate learners. However, the nuance lies in the prepositions and the context. You often relate something to someone (relatar algo a alguien).

The Direct Object: The object of 'relatar' is usually a noun phrase representing a narrative unit. Common objects include 'la historia' (the story), 'los hechos' (the facts), 'la experiencia' (the experience), or 'el suceso' (the event).

Ella me pidió que le relatara todo lo ocurrido en la reunión de ayer.

Temporal Markers: Because 'relatar' involves a sequence, it is often accompanied by temporal markers like 'primero' (first), 'luego' (then), or 'finalmente' (finally) to help structure the narrative account being given.

El autor prefiere relatar los eventos en orden cronológico inverso.

No es fácil relatar una vida entera en solo cien páginas.

El periodista se encargó de relatar la tragedia minuto a minuto.

¿Podrías relatar tu versión de los hechos ante el comité?

Reflexive and Passive Forms: While 'relatarse' (to be related) exists, it is more common to see the passive 'ser relatado' in formal writing. For example, 'La historia fue relatada por muchos testigos' (The story was recounted by many witnesses).

When you use 'relatar', you are committing to a narrative flow. It is a verb of action and description, perfect for storytelling that requires a bit more 'gravitas' than a simple conversation.

You will encounter relatar in several specific domains of Spanish-speaking life. Firstly, in the world of periodismo (journalism). News anchors and reporters use it to present news stories. If you watch 'Telediario' or read 'El País', you will see headlines like 'Relatan el horror vivido en la frontera'. Secondly, it is a staple of literatura. Authors use it in narration to describe the act of their characters sharing their pasts.

News and Media: Media outlets use 'relatar' to provide a detailed account of events, especially those of high public interest or emotional impact. It sounds professional and impartial.

Los corresponsales extranjeros suelen relatar la realidad de los países en conflicto.

Legal and Official Contexts: In police stations or courtrooms, the act of giving a statement is often described using 'relatar'. It implies that the speaker is giving a sequential, factual account of what happened.

El informe policial debe relatar cada movimiento del sospechoso.

En el documental, los supervivientes vuelven a relatar su experiencia.

Muchos poetas han intentado relatar la belleza del paisaje andaluz.

Es común que los ancianos disfruten al relatar anécdotas de la guerra.

History and Academia: History books don't just 'say' what happened; they 'relatan' the history of civilizations. It is the verb of the chronicler and the scholar.

In daily life, while less common than 'contar', you'll hear it when someone wants to emphasize the detail or the 'official' nature of the story they are about to tell.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with relatar is treating it as a literal translation for 'to relate' in the sense of 'to connect' or 'to empathize.' In English, you might say 'I can relate to that,' meaning you understand the feeling. In Spanish, you cannot say 'Me puedo relatar a eso.' Instead, you should use sentirse identificado or entender.

False Cognate Alert: Avoid using 'relatar' when you mean 'to connect' or 'to empathize.' This is a classic 'false friend' mistake. 'Relatar' is strictly about the act of telling or narrating.

Incorrect: Me relato con tu problema. Correct: Me siento identificado con tu problema.

Confusing Relatar with Relacionar: Another mistake is confusing 'relatar' with 'relacionar' (to relate/connect two things). If you want to say 'This event is related to the previous one,' use 'relacionar' (Este evento está relacionado con el anterior).

El informe intenta relacionar (not relatar) la dieta con la salud.

No confundas relatar con simplemente hablar; requiere una estructura narrativa.

Muchos estudiantes olvidan conjugarlo como un verbo regular en -ar.

Evita usarlo sin un objeto directo claro; siempre debes relatar *algo*.

Preposition Usage: Don't forget the 'a' when relating something to a person. 'Le relaté la historia' or 'Relaté la historia a mi madre.' Forgetting the indirect object marker is a common slip for learners.

Focusing on these distinctions will help you use 'relatar' with the precision of a native speaker.

To truly master relatar, you must understand its place among its synonyms. Spanish has a rich vocabulary for storytelling. The most common alternative is contar. While contar is versatile and used for everything from counting numbers to telling jokes, relatar is more specific to narration. Another close relative is narrar.

Relatar vs. Narrar: These two are very close. 'Narrar' is often used in a literary sense (the narrator of a book), while 'relatar' is slightly more common in journalism and official reports. However, in many contexts, they are interchangeable.

El escritor prefiere narrar en primera persona.

Relatar vs. Contar: 'Contar' is the 'everyday' verb. 'Relatar' is the 'formal' verb. You 'cuentas' a secret to a friend, but you 'relatas' a crime to the police.

¡Cuéntame (not relátame) un chiste!

El testigo procedió a relatar los pormenores del accidente.

Podemos referir los hechos tal como ocurrieron.

El historiador eligió reseñar los eventos más importantes de la década.

The Word 'Referir': In very formal or old-fashioned Spanish, 'referir' can also mean to recount or tell. You might see this in classic literature like Don Quijote.

Understanding these subtle differences allows you to choose the exact right 'flavor' of telling for any given situation.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'relatar' shares the same root as 'relativo' and 'relación'. All these words come from the idea of 'carrying back' information to connect it with something else.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /re.la.ˈtar/

US /re.la.ˈtaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: re-la-TAR.

Rhymes With

cantar hablar pensar llegar esperar mirar amar saltar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' like the English 'r' in 'red'.
Stressing the second syllable (re-LA-tar) instead of the last.
Making the 'e' sound like 'ee' (ree-la-tar).
Aspirating the 't' at the end of the second syllable.
Dropping the final 'r' entirely.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English 'relate'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of when to use a formal register versus 'contar'.

Speaking 3/5

Intermediate learners might struggle to remember it over the easier 'contar'.

Listening 2/5

Common in news and documentaries, usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

contar decir historia hecho hablar

Learn Next

narrar exponer describir pormenorizar reseñar

Advanced

historiografía cronista testimonio discurso elocuencia

Grammar to Know

Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns

Se lo relaté (I recounted it to him/her).

Preterite vs. Imperfect for Narration

Relaté (completed action) vs. Relataba (habitual or background action).

Subjunctive for Requests

Quiero que me relates lo que pasó.

Passive 'Se'

Aquí se relata la historia de los incas.

Infinitive after Prepositions

Después de relatar su historia, se sintió mejor.

Examples by Level

Me gusta relatar cuentos.

I like to tell stories.

Present tense of a regular -ar verb.

Él relata su día.

He relates his day.

Third person singular, present tense.

¿Quieres relatar tu sueño?

Do you want to tell your dream?

Infinitive after the verb 'querer'.

Nosotros relatamos la historia.

We relate the story.

First person plural, present tense.

Ella relata el libro.

She relates the book.

Third person singular.

Ellos relatan el viaje.

They relate the trip.

Third person plural.

Yo relato mi vida.

I relate my life.

First person singular.

Tú relatas muy bien.

You tell stories very well.

Second person singular.

Ayer relaté mi experiencia en el museo.

Yesterday I recounted my experience at the museum.

Preterite tense, first person singular.

Mi abuelo relataba historias de su infancia.

My grandfather used to tell stories from his childhood.

Imperfect tense, indicating a habitual action.

El testigo relató lo que vio en la calle.

The witness recounted what he saw on the street.

Preterite tense, third person singular.

Vamos a relatar los hechos paso a paso.

We are going to recount the facts step by step.

Future with 'ir a' + infinitive.

Ella ha relatado su aventura muchas veces.

She has recounted her adventure many times.

Present perfect tense.

¿Podrías relatarme de nuevo la película?

Could you tell me the movie again?

Conditional tense + indirect object pronoun.

El libro relata la vida de un gato.

The book relates the life of a cat.

Present tense used for literary descriptions.

Ellos relataron el partido con emoción.

They recounted the match with emotion.

Preterite tense, third person plural.

Es importante relatar los sucesos con precisión.

It is important to recount the events with precision.

Infinitive used after an impersonal expression.

El periodista relató la noticia en el telediario.

The journalist recounted the news on the news broadcast.

Preterite tense in a professional context.

Si me relatas tu problema, puedo ayudarte.

If you tell me your problem, I can help you.

First conditional sentence.

Ella empezó a relatar su versión de la historia.

She began to recount her version of the story.

Periphrasis 'empezar a' + infinitive.

Nadie quería relatar lo que había pasado allí.

No one wanted to recount what had happened there.

Imperfect tense + past perfect.

El documental se dedica a relatar la vida salvaje.

The documentary is dedicated to relating wildlife.

Present tense with 'se dedica a'.

Me gustaría que me relataras tu viaje a Japón.

I would like you to recount your trip to Japan to me.

Imperfect subjunctive after 'me gustaría que'.

Él relata sus memorias en este nuevo libro.

He relates his memoirs in this new book.

Present tense for current literary works.

El informe debe relatar detalladamente cada gasto.

The report must recount each expense in detail.

Modal verb 'debe' + infinitive + adverb.

Fue difícil relatar la magnitud de la catástrofe.

It was difficult to recount the magnitude of the catastrophe.

Impersonal 'fue' + adjective + infinitive.

Al relatar los hechos, el testigo se puso nervioso.

Upon recounting the facts, the witness became nervous.

'Al' + infinitive to indicate simultaneous actions.

La novela relata la caída de la aristocracia.

The novel relates the fall of the aristocracy.

Present tense for literary summary.

No basta con relatar; hay que analizar los motivos.

Recounting is not enough; one must analyze the motives.

Infinitive as a noun subject.

El historiador relató el conflicto desde varios puntos de vista.

The historian recounted the conflict from several points of view.

Preterite tense with plural perspectives.

Me han pedido que relate mi trayectoria profesional.

I have been asked to recount my professional career.

Present perfect passive + present subjunctive.

Relatar la verdad no siempre es una tarea sencilla.

Recounting the truth is not always a simple task.

Infinitive phrase as a subject.

La crónica se propone relatar la realidad social del país.

The chronicle aims to recount the social reality of the country.

Reflexive 'se propone' + infinitive.

A pesar de su brevedad, el poema logra relatar una gran pérdida.

Despite its brevity, the poem manages to recount a great loss.

Concessive clause with 'a pesar de'.

Resulta fascinante cómo relata los matices de la psique humana.

It is fascinating how he relates the nuances of the human psyche.

Impersonal 'resulta' + adjective + subordinate clause.

El autor se abstuvo de relatar los detalles más escabrosos.

The author refrained from recounting the most lurid details.

Verb 'abstenerse de' + infinitive.

Es imperativo relatar los acontecimientos sin sesgos ideológicos.

It is imperative to recount the events without ideological biases.

Impersonal 'es imperativo' + infinitive.

La película relata la odisea de un grupo de refugiados.

The film relates the odyssey of a group of refugees.

Present tense for artistic description.

No se puede relatar la historia de Europa sin mencionar Roma.

Europe's history cannot be recounted without mentioning Rome.

Passive 'se' with modal 'poder'.

Habiendo relatado su versión, el acusado guardó silencio.

Having recounted his version, the accused remained silent.

Perfect participle construction.

La obra ambiciona relatar la totalidad de la experiencia humana.

The work aspires to recount the totality of human experience.

High-level verb 'ambicionar' + infinitive.

El ensayo se centra en el modo en que se relata la memoria colectiva.

The essay focuses on the way in which collective memory is recounted.

Passive 'se' in a relative clause.

Resulta arduo relatar la complejidad de tales entramados políticos.

It is arduous to recount the complexity of such political frameworks.

Advanced adjective 'arduo' + noun 'entramados'.

El novelista se deleita al relatar las minucias de la vida cotidiana.

The novelist delights in recounting the minutiae of everyday life.

Reflexive 'se deleita' + 'al' + infinitive.

No es mi intención relatar pormenorizadamente cada agravio.

It is not my intention to recount each grievance in detail.

Negative 'no es mi intención' + adverb 'pormenorizadamente'.

La historiografía oficial suele relatar los hechos desde el poder.

Official historiography usually recounts facts from the perspective of power.

Academic noun 'historiografía'.

Se limitó a relatar lo estrictamente necesario para el proceso.

He limited himself to recounting only what was strictly necessary for the process.

Reflexive 'se limitó a' + infinitive.

Relatar el pasado es, en última instancia, un acto de interpretación.

Recounting the past is, ultimately, an act of interpretation.

Infinitive as a philosophical subject.

Common Collocations

relatar los hechos

relatar una historia

relatar pormenorizadamente

relatar con detalle

relatar una anécdota

relatar la verdad

relatar una experiencia

relatar paso a paso

relatar cronológicamente

relatar vivencias

Common Phrases

proceder a relatar

— To begin the formal process of telling something. Often used in legal or official speech.

El fiscal procedió a relatar los cargos contra el acusado.

difícil de relatar

— Something that is hard to put into words or a story. Used for emotional or complex events.

Lo que vimos en la montaña es difícil de relatar.

según se relata

— According to what is told or recounted. Used to cite a source of a story.

Según se relata en las crónicas antiguas, el rey era justo.

volver a relatar

— To retell or recount again. Used when a story needs to be repeated.

Tuvo que volver a relatar el accidente ante el juez.

relatar de viva voz

— To recount something orally or in person. Emphasizes the spoken nature of the account.

Prefiero relatarte lo sucedido de viva voz.

relatar en primera persona

— To tell a story from one's own perspective. A common literary term.

La novela está escrita para relatar los hechos en primera persona.

acabar de relatar

— To have just finished telling something. Uses the 'acabar de' construction.

Acabo de relatar la noticia a mis compañeros.

relatar sin tapujos

— To recount something without holding back or hiding anything. Implies honesty.

Decidió relatar su pasado sin tapujos.

relatar con pelos y señales

— To recount something with every single detail. A very common idiomatic expression.

Me relató el encuentro con pelos y señales.

relatar lo vivido

— To recount what one has personally experienced. Often used in memoirs.

El anciano se sentó a relatar lo vivido durante la revolución.

Often Confused With

relatar vs relacionar

Means 'to relate' in the sense of connecting two things, not telling a story.

relatar vs sentirse identificado

Used for 'I can relate to that' (empathy), where 'relatar' would be wrong.

relatar vs contar

More common and informal; 'relatar' is the formal version.

Idioms & Expressions

"contar y no acabar"

— Used when a story is so long or incredible that it seems it will never end. While it uses 'contar', it is the idiomatic equivalent of a long 'relato'.

Lo que pasó en esa fiesta es para contar y no acabar.

informal

"relatar con pelos y señales"

— To recount something in extreme detail, leaving nothing out.

Me relató su cita con pelos y señales.

informal/neutral

"ser un cuento de nunca acabar"

— To be a never-ending story or a repetitive problem.

Las reparaciones de esta casa son un cuento de nunca acabar.

neutral

"no estar para cuentos"

— To not be in the mood for nonsense or excuses. Related to the act of storytelling.

Dime la verdad, no estoy para cuentos.

informal

"venir con cuentos"

— To come with excuses, lies, or gossip.

No me vengas con cuentos, sé que no hiciste la tarea.

informal

"hacerse el cuento de la lechera"

— To build castles in the air or have unrealistic expectations. Based on a fable.

No te hagas el cuento de la lechera con ese negocio.

neutral

"traer a colación"

— To bring up a story or fact in a conversation. Often used instead of 'relatar'.

No hace falta traer a colación viejos rencores.

formal

"poner en antecedentes"

— To give someone the necessary background info (to recount the prior facts).

Antes de empezar, permítame ponerle en antecedentes.

formal

"irse por los cerros de Úbeda"

— To beat around the bush or get off track while relating something.

Relata lo que pasó y no te vayas por los cerros de Úbeda.

informal

"soltar la lengua"

— To start relating things that were supposed to be secret.

Después de dos copas, soltó la lengua y relató todo.

informal

Easily Confused

relatar vs relacionar

Both translate to 'relate' in English.

Relatar is for telling stories; relacionar is for linking concepts or people.

Hay que relacionar la teoría con la práctica.

relatar vs narrar

They are near synonyms.

Narrar is more literary; relatar is more factual/journalistic, though often interchangeable.

El narrador relata los hechos del libro.

relatar vs referir

Can mean to recount in formal contexts.

Referir is much more formal or archaic; relatar is the standard formal choice today.

Se refiere a lo que ya relatamos antes.

relatar vs comentar

Both involve talking about something.

Comentar is to give an opinion or comment; relatar is to provide a factual sequence.

Él comentó el relato que yo había escrito.

relatar vs reportar

Used in journalism.

Reportar is often used for reporting a crime or a status; relatar is for the narrative itself.

Reportaron el robo, y luego relataron cómo ocurrió.

Sentence Patterns

Sujeto + relatar + sustantivo

Yo relato el cuento.

Sujeto + relatar + sustantivo + a + persona

Él relata la historia a su amigo.

Sujeto + empezar a + relatar + sustantivo

Nosotros empezamos a relatar el viaje.

Sujeto + relatar + que + oración

Ella relata que vio un fantasma.

Sujeto + relatar + pormenorizadamente + sustantivo

El informe relata pormenorizadamente los hechos.

Al + relatar + sustantivo, + oración

Al relatar su vida, el autor lloró.

Sujeto + se abstiene de + relatar + sustantivo

El testigo se abstuvo de relatar los detalles.

Sustantivo + ser + relatado + por + agente

La tragedia fue relatada por los supervivientes.

Word Family

Nouns

relato (story/account)

relator (narrator/rapporteur)

relatividad (relativity - related root but different meaning)

relación (relation/relationship)

Verbs

relatar (to recount)

interrelacionar (to interrelate)

relacionar (to relate/connect)

Adjectives

relatado (recounted)

relatable (relatable - modern anglicism, use with caution)

relativo (relative)

narración

cuento

historia

crónica

informe

How to Use It

frequency

High in written Spanish, medium-high in formal spoken Spanish.

Common Mistakes

Using 'relatar' for 'to relate to' someone. → Me siento identificado con él.
'Relatar' is only for telling stories, not for emotional connection. This is a very common false friend error.
Using 'relatar' to count numbers. → Tengo que contar el dinero.
'Relatar' is only for narrative. For mathematics or counting objects, you must use 'contar'.
Forgetting the direct object. → Él relató su historia.
You cannot just say 'Él relató'. You must specify what was recounted. It is a transitive verb.
Pronouncing 'relatar' with a stressed second syllable. → re-la-TAR
All verbs ending in -ar in the infinitive are stressed on the last syllable. Pronouncing it as 're-LA-tar' is incorrect.
Using 'relatar' for brief, informal statements. → Me contó un chiste.
'Relatar' implies a longer, more structured account. For a quick joke or a short comment, 'contar' is better.

Tips

Upgrade Your Spanish

Replace 'contar' with 'relatar' in your formal essays to immediately sound more advanced. It shows you know how to use different registers.

Direct Objects

Always make sure 'relatar' has an object. You are always relating *something*. If there is no object, the sentence will feel incomplete.

Listen to the News

Spanish news broadcasts are the best place to hear 'relatar' in action. Pay attention to how the anchors use it to introduce stories.

Relate = Relatar

Remember that 'relatar' looks like 'relate'. Just remember it's about 'relating a story', not 'relating to a person'.

Chronological Order

When you use 'relatar', try to keep your narrative in order. The verb implies a sequence, so using words like 'primero' and 'después' helps.

Tone Matters

If you use 'relatar' in a very casual setting, you might sound like you are being dramatic or overly formal on purpose. Use this for effect!

Look for Relatos

Search for 'relatos cortos' online to practice reading the noun form. These are usually short and manageable for B1 learners.

Official Accounts

In any official document, always use 'relatar' to describe the sequence of events. It is the standard professional term.

Author's Voice

When analyzing a book, say 'El autor relata...' to describe what happens in the plot. It sounds much better than 'El autor dice...'.

Pelos y Señales

Try to use the phrase 'relatar con pelos y señales' to sound like a native. It means to tell every single detail.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'relatar' as 're-telling' a 'lateral' sequence of events. The 'rela' part sounds like 'relate', and in English, you 'relate' a story when you tell it formally.

Visual Association

Imagine a journalist with a microphone (relator) standing in front of a timeline of events, connecting each point with a line as they speak.

Word Web

narrar historia hechos periodista relato voz detalle secuencia

Challenge

Try to relatar your favorite movie plot in exactly five sentences using the preterite tense. Focus on the most important 'hechos' (facts).

Word Origin

From the Latin 'relatare', which is the frequentative form of 'referre'.

Original meaning: To carry back, to report, or to bring back news.

Romance (Latin root)

Cultural Context

When 'relatando' sensitive historical events (like civil wars or dictatorships), the choice of words is very important to maintain objectivity or show respect.

English speakers often confuse 'relatar' with 'to relate to' (empathize). In Spanish, we use 'identificarse con'.

Gabriel García Márquez often uses 'relatar' to describe the narrative acts of his characters. Jorge Luis Borges' 'El Aleph' is a famous 'relato' that deals with the difficulty of recounting the infinite. The 'Relatos Salvajes' (Wild Tales) movie is a famous Argentine anthology of stories.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Journalism

Relatar la noticia
Relatar los sucesos
Relatar el horror
Relatar la jornada

Legal

Relatar los hechos
Relatar la versión
Relatar el testimonio
Relatar el incidente

Literature

Relatar una vida
Relatar un mito
Relatar una hazaña
Relatar un drama

Personal History

Relatar anécdotas
Relatar recuerdos
Relatar vivencias
Relatar el pasado

Academic/Reporting

Relatar el proceso
Relatar hallazgos
Relatar la evolución
Relatar antecedentes

Conversation Starters

"¿Podrías relatarme cómo fue tu primer día de trabajo en esta empresa?"

"Si tuvieras que relatar la historia de tu vida en un minuto, ¿qué dirías?"

"¿Qué evento histórico te gustaría que alguien te relatara en persona?"

"¿Prefieres relatar tus viajes a través de fotos o de palabras?"

"¿Quién es la persona que mejor sabe relatar historias en tu familia?"

Journal Prompts

Relata un momento de tu infancia que haya cambiado tu forma de ver el mundo.

Escribe un breve texto donde relates los eventos más importantes de tu última semana.

Imagina que eres un periodista; relata un evento ficticio que ocurrió en tu ciudad.

Relata un sueño que hayas tenido recientemente, enfocándote en los detalles visuales.

¿Cómo relatarías tu progreso con el idioma español hasta el día de hoy?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not as much as 'contar'. You would use 'relatar' if you want to sound more serious or if you are describing a long, detailed sequence of events. For example, 'Déjame relatarte lo que pasó en la oficina' sounds more professional than 'Te cuento lo de la oficina'.

No, that is a common mistake for English speakers. In Spanish, 'relatar' only means to tell a story. To say 'I relate to your situation,' you should say 'Me siento identificado con tu situación' or 'Te entiendo'.

They are very similar. 'Narrar' is often associated with literature (a narrator), while 'relatar' is more common in journalism and formal reports. However, in many cases, you can use either one.

Yes, it is a completely regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation patterns as 'hablar' or 'cantar' in all tenses, which makes it easy to learn once you know the basic endings.

As a noun, 'un relato' means a story, an account, or a short narrative. It is often used in literature to describe a short story (un relato corto).

No, for counting numbers, you must use 'contar'. 'Relatar' is strictly for narrative and storytelling.

The most common and correct way is 'relatar los hechos'. This is a standard phrase in legal and journalistic Spanish.

Yes, it is considered a more formal register than 'contar'. It is appropriate for academic writing, professional reports, and serious literature.

It is a transitive verb, so it usually takes a direct object directly (relatar una historia). If you are telling it to someone, you use the preposition 'a' (relatar algo a alguien).

Yes, 'relatar un sueño' is a very common and appropriate use of the verb, as dreams often have a narrative sequence.