QUICK ANSWER
"Pick" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "escoger", and "pick out" is a transitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "escoger". Learn more about the difference between "pick" and "pick out" below.
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.
pick out(
pihk
aut
)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 choose)
2. (to discern)
a. distinguir
I didn't have my glasses on, so I couldn't pick out the numbers on his license plate.No llevaba mis gafas, así que no pude distinguir los números de su placa.
3. (music)
a. tocar de oído
My brother can pick out any song on the piano.Mi hermano puedo tocar cualquiera canción de oído en el piano.
4. (to remove)
a. sacar
The magician waved his magic wand and picked a rabbit out of his hat.El mago agitó su varita mágica y sacó un conejo de su sombrero.
a. reconocer
I couldn't pick you out in your class's yearbook photo. Your hair was so long then.No podía reconocerte en la foto del anuario de tu clase. Tenías el pelo muy largo en esa época.
