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"Colgar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hang", and "poner" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to put". Learn more about the difference between "colgar" and "poner" below.
colgar(
kohl
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to suspend)
a. to hang
Colgaron la bandera en la ventana con orgullo.They hung the flag in the window with pride.
3. (to abandon)
a. to give up
Colgó sus estudios para hacerse atleta profesional.He gave up his studies to become a professional athlete.
a. to upload
Me hago muchos selfis para colgar en mis redes sociales.I take a lot of selfies to upload on my social networks.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. to hang up on
Isabel me colgó cuando le dije que quería divorciarme de ella.Isabel hung up on me when I told her I wanted to divorce her.
colgarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to hang
El muchacho se colgó de las barras con la ayuda de su madre.The boy hung from the monkey bars with the help of his mother.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to hang oneself
Decidió que la mejor manera de acabar con su vida era colgarse.He decided that the best way to end his life was to hang himself.
a. to crash
Si el ordenador sigue colgándose, tendré que comprarme otro.If my computer keeps crashing, I'll have to buy a new one.
poner(
poh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to place)
2. (figurative) (to cause to be)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to put
Su renuncia me pone en una situación difícil.His resignation puts me in a difficult position.
3. (clothing)
a. to put on
Después de bañar a la bebé, hay que ponerle ropa limpia.After giving the baby a bath, you have to put some clean clothes on her.
4. (to install)
6. (to grade)
7. (to produce)
a. to put in
Podemos alquilar ese sitio si todos ponemos algo de dinero.We can rent the place if everybody puts in some cash.
9. (to connect)
10. (to name)
11. (to establish)
a. to open
Sandy y su esposo van a poner una panadería en la calle principal.Sandy and her husband are going to open a bakery on main street.
ponerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
12. (to become)
a. to get
No te pongas impaciente conmigo cuando no has hecho nada para ayudar.Don't get impatient with me when you haven't done anything to help.
b. to be
No te pongas triste, cariño. Todo se arreglará.Don't be sad, sweetie. Everything will work out.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me pongo furiosa con pensarlo.It makes me mad to think about it.
El perro siempre se pone feliz al verte.The dog's always happy to see you.
a. to wear
Ya nunca me pongo ese vestido porque se ha quedado muy anticuado.I don't wear that dress anymore because it's very old-fashioned.
17. (to go down)
