pon

/pon/

Put

A close-up of a hand placing a bright red wooden block onto a clean wooden table, demonstrating physical placement.

This image shows the command to Put something in a specific location (physical placement).

pon(Verb (Affirmative Command Form))

A1irregular er

Put

Physical placement

Place

Physical placement

Also:

Lay

Placing something flat

Set

Setting an object down

📝 In Action

¡Pon la mesa ahora mismo! Vamos a cenar.

Set the table right now! We are going to have dinner.

Pon el vaso sobre el posavasos, por favor.

Put the glass on the coaster, please.

Cuando llegues, pon las llaves en el gancho de la entrada.

When you arrive, put the keys on the hook by the entrance.

Word Connections

Synonyms

coloca (place (command))
mete (put inside (command))

Common Collocations

Ponlo allí – Put it there
Pon las manos – Put your hands

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Irregular Eight' Commands

'Pon' is one of eight highly irregular informal (tú) affirmative commands. You just have to memorize it! It does not follow the normal pattern of verb endings.

Pronoun Placement

When you use 'pon' with words like 'lo' or 'la' (it), they always stick directly onto the end of the command: 'Ponlo aquí' (Put it here).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the 'er' Ending

Mistake: "Pones el libro allí."

Correction: ¡Pon el libro allí! The form 'pones' is used for regular statements, not direct commands.

⭐ Usage Tips

Short and Urgent

Since 'pon' is short and forceful, it is often used for quick instructions among friends or family, or in recipes.

A finger pressing a glowing green power button on a simple, rounded white lamp, illustrating the action of activation.

The command Turn on refers to activating an appliance or device.

pon(Verb (Affirmative Command Form))

A2irregular er

Turn on

Appliances or devices

Apply

Sunscreen, makeup, etc.

Also:

Set

Schedule or time

Broadcast

Putting on a show or music

📝 In Action

¡Pon la televisión, por favor! Quiero ver las noticias.

Turn on the TV, please! I want to watch the news.

¡Pon mucha crema solar! El sol está muy fuerte.

Put on a lot of sunscreen! The sun is very strong.

Pon tu alarma para las siete de la mañana.

Set your alarm for seven in the morning.

Word Connections

Synonyms

enciende (turn on (command))
aplica (apply (command))

Antonyms

quita (remove (command))
apaga (turn off (command))

Common Collocations

Pon música – Put on music / Play music
Pon la radio – Turn on the radio

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Poner' for Technology

In many Spanish-speaking regions, 'poner' (pon) is the most common verb used to tell someone to turn on a TV, radio, or music, instead of the more literal 'encender'.

A hand holding a pencil actively drawing a simple, thick line onto a blank sheet of bright yellow paper.

Use Write down when commanding someone to record notes or information.

pon(Verb (Affirmative Command Form))

B1irregular er

Write down

Listing or taking notes

Make

Causing an emotion or state

Also:

State

Stating an opinion

📝 In Action

¡Pon más detalles en tu informe para que se entienda mejor!

Put more details in your report so it's understood better!

Pon atención a lo que dice el profesor. ¡Es importante!

Pay attention (Put attention) to what the professor is saying. It's important!

No te preocupes, pon buena cara y sonríe.

Don't worry, put on a good face (look happy) and smile.

Word Connections

Synonyms

escribe (write (command))
presta (lend (as in 'lend attention'))

Common Collocations

Pon un ejemplo – Give an example
Pon tu firma – Put your signature

Idioms & Expressions

Pon tu granito de arena – Do your part / Contribute a small bit

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Pon' and 'Ponme'

Mistake: "Pon un café (meaning 'make me a coffee')."

Correction: Ponme un café. When asking someone to do something for you, you need the extra word ('me') stuck to the end to show you are the recipient of the action.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pon

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'pon' correctly for physical placement?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

poner(to put, to place) - verb

puesta(setting, placing, performance) - noun

posición(position, placement) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'pon' so different from other Spanish commands?

'Pon' is highly irregular because it's a very old, fundamental verb. Its command form ('pon') is part of a small group of eight verbs that simply drop the end of the infinitive (*poner*) to make the short, informal command.

How do I make the command negative (tell someone NOT to put something)?

The negative command is much more regular! You use the present subjunctive form: 'No pongas'. For example: 'No pongas los pies en la mesa' (Don't put your feet on the table).