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"Recoger" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pick up", and "coger" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take". Learn more about the difference between "recoger" and "coger" below.
recoger(
rreh
-
koh
-
hehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to lift up)
a. to pick up
Tuve que recoger todas las canicas que se cayeron al suelo.I had to pick up all the marbles that fell on the floor.
2. (to collect)
a. to gather
Es importante recoger toda la información necesaria.It is important to gather all the necessary information.
a. to clean up
Tenemos que recoger la cocina antes de la fiesta.We have to clean up the kitchen before the party.
4. (to fetch)
a. to pick up
¿Puedes venir a recogerme al aeropuerto el próximo domingo?Would you be able to pick me up at the airport next Sunday?
6. (to harvest)
a. to pick
¿Cuándo es el mejor momento para recoger fresas?When is the best time to pick strawberries?
7. (to contain)
a. to include
El documental recoge el testimonio de personas que fueron testigo de aquel escalofriante suceso.The documentary includes the testimony of people who witnessed that horrifying incident.
recogerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to go to bed
"Yo siempre me recojo muy temprano," dijo mi abuela y soltó un bostezo."I always go to bed very early," said my grandmother and she yawned.
10. (religion)
a. to withdraw
Cuando se quedó viuda, la condesa se recogió en un convento.The countess withdrew to a convent when she became a widow.
b. to retire
Después del desayuno, los monjes se recogen para meditar.After breakfast, the monks retire to meditate.
11. (clothing)
a. to lift up (skirt)
La muchacha se recogió la falda y metió los pies en el río.The girl lifted up her skirt and put her feet in the river.
b. to roll up (pants, sleeves)
Recógete las mangas de la camisa o te las mancharás de grasa.Roll up your shirt sleeves or you'll get them stained with grease.
coger(
koh
-
hehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to grab
Cogió la pelota que salió fuera de la cancha.He grabbed the ball that went off the field.
c. to get
¿Puedes coger el teléfono que está sonando en la sala?Can you get the telephone that is ringing in the living room?
d. to pick up
Por favor, coge al niño, el suelo está sucio.Please, pick up the baby, the floor is dirty.
2. (to select)
a. to pick
De todos los trozos, cogió el más grande.From all the pieces, she picked the biggest one.
a. to catch
Vas a coger un resfriado si no te abrigas bien.You'll catch a cold if you don't wrap up well.
a. to get into
Cogieron la costumbre de venir a visitarnos todos los días.They got into the habit of visiting us every day.
9. (to gather)
a. to pick
¿Dónde cogiste esas flores silvestres tan bonitas? - Son del jardín.Where did you pick such lovely wildflowers? - They're from the garden.
10. (vulgar) (to have sex) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
11. (to be located)
12. (vulgar) (to have sex) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to take
Coge por la calle Rojas. Hay menos semáforos.Take Rojas Street. There are fewer stoplights.
cogerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
14. (to grab)
15. (to hold)
a. to hold on to
Cógete fuerte de la cuerda en el descenso. Hold on to the rope tightly during your descent.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
16. (to get stuck)
