QUICK ANSWER
"Pick up" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "recoger", and "pick" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "escoger". Learn more about the difference between "pick up" and "pick" below.
pick up(
pihk
uhp
)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.).
1. (to collect)
a. recoger
Can you pick up your suit from the dry cleaner?¿Puedes recoger tu traje de la tintorería?
I'll pick Mom up from the airport.Yo recojo a mamá del aeropuerto.
c. pasar a buscar
If you need a ride, I can pick you up.Si necesitas un aventón, puedo pasarte a buscar.
3. (to answer)
4. (to learn)
b. agarrar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
It was easy for her to pick up knitting.Le fue fácil agarrar el tejido.
5. (to arrest)
a. detener
The thief was hiding nearby until the police came and picked him up.El ladrón estaba escondiendo por aquí cerca hasta que vino la policía y lo detuvo.
b. agarrar
After a massive search, they finally picked up the criminals.Tras una búsqueda exhaustiva, finalmente agarraron a los criminales.
b. agarrar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
My computer doesn't pick up your Wi-Fi.Mi computadora no agarra tu red inalámbrica.
7. (to restart)
a. retomar
Can we pick up the conversation where we left off?¿Podemos retomar la conversación donde nos quedamos?
8. (illness)
a. pillar
You're more likely to pick up that disease in hot places.Es más probable que pilles la enfermedad en lugares calurosos.
10. (colloquial) (to seduce)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. ligar con (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
He picked up a girl at the bar last night.Ligó con una chica en el bar anoche.
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.).
11. (to improve)
12. (to strengthen)
a. levantarse
The wind's picking up; it's going to be a rough crossing.El viento se levanta; la travesía será dura.
a. contestar
I tried ringing my aunt several times, but she didn't pick up.Traté varias veces de llamar a mi tía, pero no contestó.
14. (to continue)
a. continuar
I found it impossible to pick up where I was before the interruption; I was too upset.Me fue imposible continuar por donde iba antes de la interrupción; estaba muy alterado.
pick(
pihk
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to choose)
a. escoger
We still need to pick some music for the party.Todavía tenemos que escoger música para la fiesta.
c. seleccionar
We're going to the adoption center to pick a kitten.Vamos al centro de acogida para seleccionar un gatito.
2. (to gather)
3. (music)
a. puntear
He picked some notes before beginning the song.Punteó algunas notas antes de empezar con la canción.
4. (to provoke)
a. buscar
Don't pick a fight with that guy; he's a professional boxer.No busques pelea con ese tipo; es boxeador profesional.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I caught him picking his nose.Lo pillé hurgándose la nariz.
It's disgusting to see people picking their teeth at a restaurant.Es desagradable ver a gente escarbarse los dientes en un restaurante.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
7. (to choose)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
9. (choice)
a. elección
Who was Chicago's pick in the NBA draft?¿Quién fue la elección de Chicago en el draft del NBA?
10. (music)
11. (tool)
b. la piqueta (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The pick broke while I was using it.La piqueta se rompió mientras la estaba usando.
12. (the best)
a. el mejor
These are the pick of European holiday destinations.Estos son los mejores destinos europeos para vacacionar.
This puppy is the pick of the bunch.Ese cachorro es el mejor de todos.
