pone
“pone” means “he/she/it puts” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
he/she/it puts, you put
Also: he/she/it places
📝 In Action
Mi hermano pone sus llaves en la mesa.
A1My brother puts his keys on the table.
Usted siempre pone la silla aquí.
A1You (formal) always put the chair here.
El restaurante pone flores frescas en cada mesa.
A2The restaurant places fresh flowers on each table.
he/she/it turns on
Also: he/she/it plays
📝 In Action
Ella pone la televisión para ver las noticias.
A2She turns on the television to watch the news.
Siempre pone la misma canción en las fiestas.
B1He always plays the same song at parties.
¿Quién pone la calefacción en verano?
A2Who turns on the heat in the summer?
it makes (someone)
📝 In Action
La música clásica me pone tranquilo.
B1Classical music makes me calm.
Esa situación pone nerviosa a mi madre.
B1That situation makes my mother nervous.
El final de la película pone triste a todo el mundo.
B2The end of the movie makes everyone sad.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "pone" in Spanish:
you put→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pone
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'pone' to mean 'turns on'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Pone' comes from the Latin verb 'pōnere', which meant 'to put, place, or set'. Many Spanish verbs that end in '-poner', like 'componer' (to compose) or 'suponer' (to suppose), share this same root and the idea of 'putting' something together or in a certain position.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'pone' and 'se pone'?
Great question! 'Pone' is about an action done to something else (he puts the book, she turns on the TV). 'Se pone' is reflexive, meaning the action happens to the person themselves. It often means 'he/she becomes' or 'he/she puts on' (clothing). For example, 'Él pone la camisa en la cama' (He puts the shirt on the bed) vs. 'Él se pone la camisa' (He puts on the shirt).
Why is 'poner' used for so many different things?
Think of 'poner' as a 'power verb'. Its core idea is 'to cause something to be in a certain state or place'. Putting a book on a table, putting a TV in an 'on' state, or putting a person in a 'sad' state are all related to this core idea. It's one of those flexible verbs you'll get a feel for over time!