Translation of "conjugate" into Spanish? (gramatica)

Question

Years ago I learned that I was NOT to use the verb "coger" for the simple task of "picking something up." I was told to use "recoger." Seems that "coger" has a sexual connotation. So: with the English verb "conjugate" my Larousse dictionary gives "congénere." Reading the Spanish translation (in Larousse) it seems likely that "conjugar" has a sexual meaning, too. Perhaps just something local here in Baja California Sur, Mexico? thanks!

Answer 1

Hmmm...

Conjugate, to my understanding is what you do to verbs - conjugar.

Coger is fine in Spain and Colombia and apparently 3 other Latin American countries, I can't remember which they are. Recoger is fine, not sure what the other options might be...

Welcome.

Just found this:

(tr) Obsolete to join together, esp in marriage.

Either way, it's not a word to use for 'to pick up' in English...

Well Spanish verb conjugation screws me up almost every time. :) - ian-hill, Mar 7, 2011

Maybe there it something subconscious going on, your brain focusing on one of its older meanings :-) - afowen, Mar 7, 2011

*is - afowen, Mar 7, 2011

Answer 2

In English too hence the term "conjugal rights"