coger
/ko-kher/
to take
Coger, meaning to take or pick up an object.
coger(verb)
to take
?to pick up or grasp an object
,to grab
?to seize quickly
to catch
?to intercept something thrown
📝 In Action
Por favor, coge ese libro de la mesa.
A1Please, grab that book from the table.
Necesitas coger la herramienta con firmeza.
A2You need to take hold of the tool firmly.
💡 Grammar Points
The G to J Shift
In Spanish, the sound of the letter 'g' changes to 'j' whenever it comes before the vowels 'a' or 'o'. This is why 'yo' changes from 'coger' to 'cojo' (instead of 'cogo').
Coger, meaning to catch transportation like a bus or train.
coger(verb)
to catch
?transportation (bus, train)
,to get
?to acquire an illness or cold
to take
?transportation
📝 In Action
Si no te apuras, vas a perder el tren, ¡cógelo ya!
A2If you don't hurry up, you're going to miss the train, catch it now!
Creo que cogí un resfriado por el frío de anoche.
B1I think I caught a cold because of the cold last night.
💡 Grammar Points
Transportation Verbs
In Spain, 'coger' is the standard way to talk about getting on or taking any form of public transport (bus, taxi, train). In Latin America, you must use 'tomar' or 'agarrar'.
Coger, used as vulgar slang for sexual intercourse in some regions.
coger(verb)
to have sex
?vulgar slang for intercourse
to screw
?vulgar equivalent
📝 In Action
¡Cuidado! En México esa palabra significa algo muy diferente y muy vulgar.
C2Watch out! In Mexico that word means something very different and very vulgar.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Regional Misunderstanding
Mistake: "A learner from Spain says, 'Voy a coger el bus' in Mexico."
Correction: This is taken as highly offensive slang, meaning 'I am going to have sex with the bus.' Always say 'Voy a tomar el bus' or 'Voy a agarrar el bus' in Latin America.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use Neutral Substitutes
Unless you are in Spain, or intentionally using vulgar language in the correct Latin American context, always use the safer verbs 'tomar' (to take/drink) or 'agarrar' (to grab/catch).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: coger
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence would be considered rude or inappropriate in Mexico?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'coger' have such different meanings across Spanish-speaking countries?
This is one of the biggest regional differences in Spanish! In Spain, 'coger' is the neutral, everyday word for 'to take' or 'to catch (a bus)'. However, due to linguistic shifts in Latin America, 'coger' became the predominant vulgar slang term for 'to have sex,' leading speakers there to use safer alternatives like 'tomar' or 'agarrar' for the neutral meanings.
If I am only speaking to Spaniards, is it safe to use 'coger'?
Yes. If you are exclusively in Spain, 'coger' is the standard, safe, and expected word for 'to grab,' 'to take,' or 'to catch a train.' The vulgar meaning is not common there.