recoger
/rekoˈxeɾ/
The English phrase 'to pick up' is translated into Spanish as recoger.
recoger is used to mean picking something up from a surface, collecting items or picking up people and things, such as mail or passengers.
Which one should you use?
Use recoger when you mean to collect or pick something up from a location. If you specifically mean the physical act of lifting or raising an object upward, use levantar instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of recoger is recogido.
How do you pronounce it?
/rekoˈxeɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb recoger is often used in the reflexive form recogerse to describe the act of pulling in one's limbs or retreating into a shell, like a snail or a turtle.
- The Spanish verb recoger is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'recollect'. Both words trace their lineage back to the same Latin ancestor meaning to gather or collect again.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you are told to recoger la habitación, it means you should tidy up or clean the room, not just pick up objects from the floor.
Examples in context
- El bus paró para recoger pasajeros.The bus stopped to pick up passengers.This sentence shows how the verb is used for picking up passengers.Tatoeba #1783213 by marcelostockle, translation #1449766 by CK
- Tengo que ir a recoger el coche al taller.I have to pick up the car from the garage.This sentence demonstrates picking up a vehicle from a specific location.Tatoeba #1319349 by gleOsp, translation #12001448 by carlosalberto
- Tom se agachó para recoger algo del suelo.Tom bent down to pick up something off the floor.This sentence illustrates the physical action of picking something up from the floor.Tatoeba #2256986 by marcelostockle, translation #1868454 by CK
- Debo recoger los documentos en la oficina.I need to pick up the documents at the office.
- Tengo que retirar un paquete en el correo.I have to pick up a package at the post office.
- Voy a agarrar un libro de la biblioteca.I'm going to pick up a book from the library.
- Recoge el dinero que está sobre la mesa.Pick up the money on the table.
- Pasaré a levantarte a las 7 en punto.I will pick you up at 7 o'clock.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are cleaning their shared apartment.
- Daniel¿Puedes recoger los libros de la mesa?Can you pick up the books from the table?
- LucíaSí, yo los recojo ahora mismo.Yes, I will pick them up right now.
- DanielGracias, Lucía, eres muy amable.Thanks, Lucía, you are very kind.
- LucíaDe nada, Daniel, es un placer.You're welcome, Daniel, it's a pleasure.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry recoger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries recoger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
