colgar
/kolˈɡaɾ/
The English verb hang is translated into Spanish as colgar.
The primary meaning of colgar is to cause an object to be suspended. In addition to suspending physical objects, colgar is also the standard verb used to mean hanging up a telephone call.
Meaning: to cause to be suspended (verb)
Which one should you use?
While colgar means to suspend an object, it is also the standard verb for hanging up a phone call, whereas English uses 'hang up'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the first-person singular preterite (past tense), the form is colgué to say "I hung". For the first-person singular future tense, use colgaré to say "I will hang".
How do you pronounce it?
/kolˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- While colgar is used for hanging a picture or a coat, Spanish uses a completely different verb, ahorcar, specifically for the act of hanging a person by the neck.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, colgar is used as a slang term for 'freezing' or 'spacing out' during a conversation, similar to a computer hanging.
- In some Latin American dialects, colgarse can be used to describe the act of hitchhiking or 'catching a ride' by jumping onto a moving vehicle.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedo colgar tu abrigo?May I hang up your coat?This sentence is useful for asking permission to hang up a coat using colgar.Tatoeba #6630152 by Schuager, translation #62298 by CK
- ¿Podrías colgar la ropa?Could you hang up the laundry?This sentence is useful for asking someone to hang up laundry using colgar.Tatoeba #7316641 by UsuarioX, translation #3459863 by AlanF_US
- ¿Dónde debería colgar este calendario?Where shall I hang this calendar?This sentence is useful for asking where to hang a calendar using colgar.Tatoeba #399399 by catakaoe, translation #61207 by Eldad
- Por favor, cuelgue la chaqueta en el perchero.Please hang the jacket on the coat rack.
- El cliente colgó la llamada.The client hung up the call.
- Pon el cuadro en la pared.Hang the painting on the wall.
- Voy a poner las fotos en la pared.I'm going to hang the pictures on the wall.
- Voy a colocar las cortinas en la ventana.I'm going to hang the curtains on the window.
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo colocar este póster?Do you know where I can hang this poster?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Daniel are decorating their new apartment.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿quieres colgar este cuadro aquí?Daniel, do you want to hang this painting here?
- DanielSí, me parece un buen lugar.Yes, it seems like a good place.
- MaríaEntonces, ayúdame a colgarlo ahora.Then, help me hang it now.
- DanielClaro, María, busco el martillo.Sure, María, I'll look for the hammer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hang” translations and entries colgar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
