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cantar

to sing

verb kahn-TAHR Less Common

Origin: Latin cantare

Usage Note

Cantar is a regular -ar verb, but is also used colloquially in Spain to mean 'to stand out conspicuously' or 'to stink' (esto canta — 'this is really obvious/smells bad'). The phrase cantar las cuarenta means 'to give someone a piece of your mind'. The noun is canto (song, chant) or canción (a composed song).

Examples

"Le encanta cantar en la ducha."

Natural Translation

He loves to sing in the shower.

Literal Translation

To-him pleases to-sing in the shower.

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