cogí
“cogí” means “I took” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
I took, I caught
Also: I understood
📝 In Action
Cogí el libro de la mesa sin permiso.
A1I took the book off the table without permission.
Llegué justo a tiempo y cogí el último autobús.
A2I arrived just in time and caught the last bus.
Después de un rato, por fin cogí la broma.
B1After a while, I finally understood the joke (I caught on to the joke).
I slept with
📝 In Action
¡Cuidado! En México, si dices 'cogí el coche,' significa algo muy diferente.
C2Be careful! In Mexico, if you say 'I took the car,' it means something very different (I had sex with the car).
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "cogí" in Spanish:
i understood→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cogí
Question 1 of 2
If you are in Argentina and say, 'Cogí un taxi,' what is the likely (and offensive) interpretation?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The verb 'coger' comes from the Latin verb *colligere*, meaning 'to gather' or 'to collect.' Over time, its meaning shifted from collecting items to physically grasping or taking a single object.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'coger' have two such different meanings?
The core meaning of 'coger' is 'to grasp' or 'to seize.' In Spain, this stayed physical ('to grab a book'). In many parts of Latin America, the meaning evolved into a figurative, slang way of 'seizing' or 'taking' someone sexually, making it highly vulgar.
Is 'cogí' an irregular verb?
It is mostly regular. However, the infinitive 'coger' has a spelling change in the present tense 'yo' form (cojo) and the present subjunctive (coja, cojas, etc.) to keep the soft 'g' sound. The preterite form 'cogí' is regular.