Dar cuenta

Question

OK, it seems like I´m starting to notice the phrase ¨dar cuenta¨ here and there, and it´s not quite clear to me what it means.

Looking at the translator here, it says ¨give an account¨ Though I´m sure that´s one meaning, I don´t think it´s the sense I´ve been running across. Mine was maybe (maybe) more like notice.

Any ideas? I Did look this up, but it wasn´t enough.

Thanks Roger

Answer 1

Pronto, vas a darte cuenta de lo que significa.

Soon, you will realize what it means.

(I would put a smiley face if I could)

darse cuenta = to realize

"Cuenta" can mean account, or bill, or even reckoning.

So, literally, "to give yourself reckoning".

And yes, of course... this is if you were asking about "darse cuenta".

Cute, Smiley came through, even implicit. And actually, I realize now, I was in fact asking about darse. - rogspax, Dec 23, 2012

Answer 2

Dar cuentas means to account for something or give an account of something.

Alternative: rendir cuentas.

Cuando regresó de viaje, Mario le pidió a su encargado que le diera o le rindiera cuentas del negocio.

When he returned from his trip, Mario asked his manager in charge to give an account of the business.

Thanks Franco. - rogspax, Dec 23, 2012

Answer 3

Darse cuenta is to realize. To become aware. Its like the lightbulb in your head going on.

But you asked about dar cuenta which I think would be to give an account (tell sb about something)

My two cents worth.

I´m glad a couple of you have been able to read my mind, give my poor writing. Seeing it in print makes me realize what I´d heard has been a darse quenta form, and thus, realize. Thanks! - rogspax, Dec 23, 2012

Answer 4

Darse cuenta means to realize.

But maybe "dar cuenta de" could be "to give a report on".

Those are just my sources, could be wrong.