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colocar

koh-loh-KARkoloˈkaɾ

to place, to put

Also: to set, to hang
VerbA2regular (with spelling change in some tenses) ar
A human hand carefully placing a small, colorful red wooden block onto a smooth wooden shelf.
infinitivecolocar
gerundcolocando
past Participlecolocado

📝 In Action

Por favor, coloca los libros en el estante superior.

A2

Please, place the books on the top shelf.

El técnico colocó la antena nueva en el techo.

B1

The technician put the new antenna on the roof.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • colocar una foto – to place a photo
  • colocar un mueble – to position a piece of furniture

to find a job for, to invest

Also: to allocate
VerbB1transitive arneutral/formal
An illustration showing one smiling person handing a small, brown briefcase, representing a job, to another person who looks relieved and happy.
infinitivecolocar
gerundcolocando
past Participlecolocado

📝 In Action

La agencia de empleo logró colocar a varios recién graduados.

B1

The employment agency managed to place several recent graduates (find them jobs).

Decidimos colocar el dinero en acciones de bajo riesgo.

B2

We decided to invest the money in low-risk stocks.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • colocar capital – to invest capital
  • colocar personal – to place staff

to get a job

Also: to be placed
VerbB1reflexive (colocarse) ar
An illustration of a young person in professional attire happily jumping in the air while holding a rolled-up document tied with a ribbon, symbolizing a job contract.
infinitivecolocarse
gerundcolocándose
past Participlecolocado

📝 In Action

Después de la universidad, se colocó rápidamente en una buena empresa.

B1

After university, he quickly got a job at a good company.

Si estudias mucho, te colocarás sin problemas.

B2

If you study hard, you will get a job without problems.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • emplearse (to become employed)
  • encontrar trabajo (to find work)

to get high, to get stoned

Also: to get tipsy
VerbC1reflexive (colocarse) arslang
Spain
A figure sitting peacefully, surrounded by swirling, colorful, ethereal shapes and stars, suggesting a state of intoxication or euphoria.
infinitivecolocarse
gerundcolocándose
past Participlecolocado

📝 In Action

Estaban tan colocados que no podían seguir la conversación.

C1

They were so high they couldn't follow the conversation.

Si bebes mucho, te vas a colocar.

C1

If you drink a lot, you are going to get drunk/tipsy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • emborracharse (to get drunk)
  • drogarse (to take drugs)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedcoloca
yocoloco
túcolocas
ellos/ellas/ustedescolocan
nosotroscolocamos
vosotroscolocáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcolocaba
yocolocaba
túcolocabas
ellos/ellas/ustedescolocaban
nosotroscolocábamos
vosotroscolocabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedcolocó
yocoloqué
túcolocaste
ellos/ellas/ustedescolocaron
nosotroscolocamos
vosotroscolocasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedcoloque
yocoloque
túcoloques
ellos/ellas/ustedescoloquen
nosotroscoloquemos
vosotroscoloquéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcolocara
yocolocara
túcolocaras
ellos/ellas/ustedescolocaran
nosotroscolocáramos
vosotroscolocarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "colocar" in Spanish:

to allocate→to hang→to invest→to place→to put→to set→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: colocar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'colocar' in its reflexive form (colocarse) to mean 'to find a job'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
colocación(placement, job placement) — Noun
localizar(to locate) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin verb *collocare*, which is formed by combining *com-* (meaning 'together') and *locare* (meaning 'to place'). This gives it the core sense of 'putting things in a specific location or arrangement.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: collocareEnglish: to allocate

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use 'colocar' instead of 'poner' (to put)?

'Poner' is very general, like simply setting something down. 'Colocar' is better when you are arranging, installing, fitting, or finding a specific spot for something. It implies a more careful or permanent placement.

Is 'colocarse' always slang for being intoxicated?

No. While it is very common slang for 'getting high' (especially in Spain), its neutral meaning, 'to get a job,' is also widely used. Context will always tell you which meaning is intended.