poner
/poˈneɾ/
The English phrase 'put' can be translated into Spanish as poner. Wiktionary also lists colocar and sestar.
Meaning: to place something somewhere (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| poner | /poˈneɾ/ |
| colocar | /koloˈkaɾ/ |
| sestar | /sestaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The primary way to say 'to place something somewhere' is using poner. If you want to say 'to put on' clothing, the reflexive form ponerse is used, such as ponerse la chaqueta (to put on the jacket).
Which one should you use?
While poner is the common, everyday word for 'to put', colocar is a more precise and formal alternative often used when referring to arranging or positioning objects carefully, translating to 'to place/to position'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of poner is irregular: puesto, not ponido.
How do you pronounce it?
/poˈneɾ/
Did you know?
- While poner is the general term, the phrase poner el grito en el cielo literally means 'to put the scream in the sky', which is an idiom for complaining loudly or being outraged.
- The phrase ponerse las botas literally means 'to put on one's boots' but is an idiom meaning to make a lot of money or take full advantage of a situation.
- The English word 'couch' is a distant relative of the Spanish colocar, linked through their shared Latin roots.
Examples in context
- Lo puede poner ahí.You can put it there.This sentence is useful for showing how to use poner to indicate a location.Tatoeba #7993821 by Seael, translation #3345291 by CK
- No sé dónde ponerlos.I don't know where to put them.This sentence is useful for expressing uncertainty about where to use poner.Tatoeba #3106547 by marcelostockle, translation #3007886 by CM
- Está bien ponerlo aquí.You can put it here.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the use of poner to indicate a location.Tatoeba #4708134 by cueyayotl, translation #10460546 by DJ_Saidez
- Por favor, coloca el libro en la estantería.Please put the book on the shelf.
- Le ruego que ponga los documentos en la mesa.I kindly ask you to put the documents on the table.
- ¡Mete los juguetes en la caja!Put the toys in the box!
- Échale condimentos a la ensalada.Put some dressing on the salad.
- Apoyá el vaso sobre la mesa.Put the glass on the table.
- Deposita el dinero en la caja fuerte.Put the money in the safe.
- 204 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are organizing their new apartment.
- María¿Dónde quieres poner este cuadro, Mateo?Where do you want to put this painting, Mateo?
- MateoPuedes ponerlo en la pared blanca.You can put it on the white wall.
- MaríaVale, voy a ponerlo allí.Okay, I am going to put it there.
- MateoGracias, María, se ve muy bien.Thanks, María, it looks very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “put” translations and entries poner, colocar, sestar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries colocar, poner, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
