compter/kɔ̃.te/
verb · A2 · Frequency 431
verb
Meanings
to count; to calculate
Used for determining quantity by counting or calculating.
to reckon; to think; to estimate
Used for estimating, reckoning, or considering something to be the case.
to include; to comprise; to consist of
Used for including something in a total or for saying that something is made up of parts.
to matter; to be important
Used absolutely to mean 'to matter' or 'to be important'.
to intend; to plan
Often used with an infinitive meaning 'to intend to do something'.
to count on; to rely on
Used with sur to mean 'to count on' or 'to rely on'.
Examples
Les enfants apprennent à compter avec des cubes colorés.
The children learn to count with colored blocks.
Il est difficile de compter le nombre exact de participants.
It is difficult to estimate the exact number of participants.
Cette somme doit compter les frais de livraison.
This amount must include the delivery costs.
Dans cette équipe, chaque contribution semble compter.
In this team, every contribution seems to matter.
Collocations
- compter les joursto count the days
- compter faire quelque choseto intend to do something
- compter sur quelqu'unto count on someone
Common mistakes
Je compte de partir demain.
Je compte partir demain.
When compter means “to intend” or “to plan,” it is followed directly by an infinitive without the preposition de.
Related words
synonymdénombrerto count, enumerate
Grammar note
The verb compter can be followed by the preposition sur to mean 'to count on'; followed by an infinitive to express intention; when meaning 'to include', it is often used with compter parmi + noun.
verb
Meanings
to count; to calculate
Used for determining quantity by counting or calculating.
to reckon; to think; to estimate
Used for estimating, reckoning, or considering something to be the case.
to include; to comprise; to consist of
Used for including something in a total or for saying that something is made up of parts.
to matter; to be important
Used absolutely to mean 'to matter' or 'to be important'.
to intend; to plan
Often used with an infinitive meaning 'to intend to do something'.
to count on; to rely on
Used with sur to mean 'to count on' or 'to rely on'.
Examples
En comptant les billets, elle a découvert une erreur.
While counting the bills, she discovered a mistake.
En comptant les retards habituels, le trajet prendra une heure.
Taking the usual delays into account, the journey will take an hour.
En comptant les deux stagiaires, l'équipe comprend huit personnes.
Including the two interns, the team consists of eight people.
Chaque détail compte dans ce projet, surtout en comptant les délais serrés.
Every detail matters in this project, especially given the tight deadlines.
Grammar note
The verb compter can be followed by the preposition sur to mean 'to count on'; followed by an infinitive to express intention; when meaning 'to include', it is often used with compter parmi + noun.
verb
Meanings
to count; to calculate
Used for determining quantity by counting or calculating.
to reckon; to think; to estimate
Used for estimating, reckoning, or considering something to be the case.
to include; to comprise; to consist of
Used for including something in a total or for saying that something is made up of parts.
to matter; to be important
Used absolutely to mean 'to matter' or 'to be important'.
to intend; to plan
Often used with an infinitive meaning 'to intend to do something'.
to count on; to rely on
Used with sur to mean 'to count on' or 'to rely on'.
Examples
Le petit-déjeuner est déjà compté dans le prix de la chambre.
Breakfast is already included in the room price.
Nous avions compté sur son aide pour terminer le déménagement.
We had counted on his help to finish the move.
Grammar note
The verb compter can be followed by the preposition sur to mean 'to count on'; followed by an infinitive to express intention; when meaning 'to include', it is often used with compter parmi + noun.
verb
Meanings
to count; to calculate
Used for determining quantity by counting or calculating.
to reckon; to think; to estimate
Used for estimating, reckoning, or considering something to be the case.
to include; to comprise; to consist of
Used for including something in a total or for saying that something is made up of parts.
to matter; to be important
Used absolutely to mean 'to matter' or 'to be important'.
to intend; to plan
Often used with an infinitive meaning 'to intend to do something'.
to count on; to rely on
Used with sur to mean 'to count on' or 'to rely on'.
Examples
Elle compte les pièces avant de les ranger dans la caisse.
She counts the coins before putting them in the cash register.
Je compte environ deux heures pour terminer ce travail.
I estimate that finishing this work will take about two hours.
Le dossier compte plusieurs documents confidentiels.
The file contains several confidential documents.
Dans cette décision, chaque détail compte.
In this decision, every detail matters.
Grammar note
The verb compter can be followed by the preposition sur to mean 'to count on'; followed by an infinitive to express intention; when meaning 'to include', it is often used with compter parmi + noun.
verb
Meanings
to count; to calculate
Used for determining quantity by counting or calculating.
to reckon; to think; to estimate
Used for estimating, reckoning, or considering something to be the case.
to include; to comprise; to consist of
Used for including something in a total or for saying that something is made up of parts.
to matter; to be important
Used absolutely to mean 'to matter' or 'to be important'.
to intend; to plan
Often used with an infinitive meaning 'to intend to do something'.
to count on; to rely on
Used with sur to mean 'to count on' or 'to rely on'.
Examples
Chaque soir, tu comptes les recettes de la journée.
Every evening, you count the day's takings.
Pour cette étape, tu comptes environ deux heures de travail.
You reckon this step will take about two hours of work.
Pour le calcul final, tu comptes aussi les frais de livraison.
For the final calculation, you also include the delivery costs.
Tu comptes beaucoup pour toute l'équipe.
You matter a great deal to the whole team.
Grammar note
The verb compter can be followed by the preposition sur to mean 'to count on'; followed by an infinitive to express intention; when meaning 'to include', it is often used with compter parmi + noun.