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"Pick up the phone" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "contestar el teléfono", and "hang up" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "colgar". Learn more about the difference between "pick up the phone" and "hang up" below.
pick up the phone(
pihk
uhp
thuh
fon
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. contestar el teléfono
Hugo was cooking and couldn't pick up the phone.Hugo estaba cocinando y no pudo contestar el teléfono.
b. coger el teléfono (Spain)
Regionalism used in Spain
Can someone please pick up the phone?¿Puede alguien por favor coger el teléfono?
a. tomar el teléfono
Diego picked up the phone to call his sister.Diego tomó el teléfono para llamar a su hermana.
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. contesta el teléfono (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
Pick up the phone, please. My hands are wet.Contesta el teléfono, por favor. Tengo las manos mojadas.
b. coge el teléfono (Spain)
Regionalism used in Spain
Pick up the phone when grandma calls, please.Coge el teléfono cuando llame abuela, por favor.
a. recoge el teléfono (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
Pick up the phone, please. Try not to leave it on the floor.Recoge el teléfono, por favor. No lo dejes en el suelo.
hang up(
hahng
uhp
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. colgar
He wouldn't listen to what I was saying, so in the end I lost my patience and hung up on him.No quería escuchar lo que decía así que, al final, perdí la paciencia y le colgué.
b. cortar (Southern Cone)
It was only after I'd hung up that I realized I hadn't given her my number.Justo después de cortar me di cuenta de que no le había dado mi número.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
2. (to suspend)
a. colgar
She hung up her coat in the hall and went into the living room.Colgó su abrigo en el vestíbulo y entró a la sala de estar.
