colocar
/koloˈkaɾ/
In Spanish, 'to place' is expressed as colocar.
Colocar is used to mean to place, to position or to arrange. It is frequently used when dealing with the arrangement of objects, such as setting a table, organizing files or positioning items in a display.
Which one should you use?
While the common, general word for 'to put' is poner, colocar is more precise and implies a sense of arrangement or placing something in a specific, orderly position. Additionally, ubicar is a formal alternative used specifically to express 'to locate' or 'to situate' something.
How do you pronounce it?
/koloˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, colocar is used as slang for 'getting high' or feeling the effects of a drug. In this context, it refers to the mind being 'placed' in a different state.
- The verb colocar is an unexpected relative of the English word 'couch', as both descend from the same Latin root meaning 'to place' or 'to lie down'.
- While ubicar and colocar both deal with position, ubicar is often used in a cognitive sense to mean 'to recognize' or 'to remember' where someone fits into a social circle.
Examples in context
- Siempre trate de colocar sus piezas en los cuadrados donde puedan ser más efectivas.Always try to place your pieces on the squares where they can be most effective.This sentence is useful for showing how to use colocar when arranging items in specific positions.Tatoeba #10106728 by carlosalberto, translation #10106720 by carlosalberto
- Por favor, coloque los libros en la estantería.Please place the books on the shelf.
- La pintora colocó cuidadosamente los cuadros en la galería.The painter carefully placed the paintings in the gallery.
- Por favor, ubique los archivos en la última carpeta.Please place the files in the last folder.
- El guía turístico ubicó nuestro destino en el mapa.The tour guide located our destination on the map.
- Pon los platos en la mesa, por favor.Put the plates on the table, please.
- Ana puso las llaves en el cajón.Ana placed the keys in the drawer.
- ¿Puedes meter la ropa en la lavadora?Can you put the clothes in the washing machine?
- María puso el regalo encima de la mesa.María put the gift on the table.
- El jarrón se colocó dentro de la vitrina.The vase was placed inside the display cabinet.
- Debes colocar las llaves en la mesa.You must place the keys on the table.
- Ella quiere colocar el cuadro en la sala.She wants to place the painting in the living room.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are organizing a living room.
- Sofía¿Dónde vamos a colocar la planta?Where are we going to place the plant?
- MateoColocarla cerca de la ventana es mejor.Placing it near the window is better.
- SofíaTienes razón, Mateo.You are right, Mateo.
- MateoEntonces, vamos a colocarla ahí.Then, let's place it there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry colocar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries colocar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
