Averiguar una cantidad usando números.
To work out an amount using numbers.
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See how the word “calcular” is used in sentences
Calcula el total antes de pedir. — Calculate the total before you order.
¿Puedes calcular cuánta pintura necesitamos? — Can you calculate how much paint we need?
Los ingenieros calculan la carga antes de construir. — Engineers calculate the load before building.
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Download the app for free Spanish vocabulary testWider than English calculate, and that is where it trips people up. Calculo que llegamos a las ocho has no arithmetic in it at all — it means I reckon we'll be there by eight. Spanish uses calcular for any estimate, guess or rough working-out, where English reaches for reckon, estimate or work out and keeps calculate for actual numbers.
The verb itself is a plain -ar with no stem change, so the forms hold no surprises. The noun does: el cálculo takes an accent the verb never has, and in the plural it is also the medical word for a kidney stone.
contar to count
Items, one by one. Calcular works on a quantity, not on a tally.
estimar to estimate
Narrower than the loose sense of calcular, and it belongs to written and technical Spanish.
medir to measure
With an instrument. Calcular arrives at the same number through arithmetic instead.
sumar to add up
One operation among the several calcular can stand for.
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