Compta les cartes.

the playing card

Breakdown of Compta les cartes.

• comptar: to count

Questions & Answers about Compta les cartes.

What form is compta here?

Here, compta is most naturally the informal singular imperative of comptar, so it is used to give a command to tu: Count ...

Could compta also mean he/she counts?

Yes. Compta is also the 3rd person singular present form of comptar:

• ell compta = he counts
• ella compta = she counts

So Compta les cartes could theoretically mean He/she counts the cards if the context makes that clear. But on its own, with no subject stated, it is very commonly understood as a command: Count the cards.

Why is there no word for you in the sentence?

Catalan often leaves subject pronouns out because the verb ending already gives enough information. This is called being a pro-drop language.

So instead of saying Tu compta les cartes, Catalan normally just says:

Compta les cartes.

Adding tu is possible, but it usually adds emphasis, contrast, or a special tone.

Why is it les cartes?