ponen
/POH-nen/
they put
Two figures are putting a box onto a shelf, illustrating the translation 'they put'.
ponen(Verb)
they put
?referring to a group of people or things
,you (plural, formal) put
?referring to a formal group of people (ustedes)
,they place
?physical placement
they set
?setting a table or mood
📝 In Action
Ellos siempre ponen los zapatos en la entrada.
A1They always put the shoes in the entrance.
¿Dónde ponen ustedes las llaves?
A1Where do you all (formal) put the keys?
Los meseros ponen los platos sobre la mesa.
A2The waiters place the plates on the table.
💡 Grammar Points
Irregular 'Yo' Form
The 'I' form (yo) of poner is irregular: 'pongo.' This pattern (adding a 'g') is common in many key Spanish verbs like 'tener' (tengo) and 'venir' (vengo).
Poner vs. Ponerse
'Ponen' means 'they put.' 'Se ponen' (using the reflexive form) usually means 'they put on (clothing)' or 'they become (an emotion).'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the 'They' form
Mistake: "Ponen los libros en la libreria, ¿verdad?"
Correction: The conjugation 'ponen' is correct for 'ellos/ellas/ustedes,' but beginners sometimes forget the 'n' and say 'pone' for a group.
⭐ Usage Tips
Remember the 'DR' irregularity
For the future and conditional tenses, the stem changes from 'pon-' to 'pondr-'. Think of it as a helpful shortcut: 'Ellos pondrán' (They will put).
The figures are activating the television, which shows the meaning 'they turn on'.
ponen(Verb)
they turn on
?appliances, TV, music
,they play
?music or a movie
they broadcast
?media context
📝 In Action
Siempre ponen música clásica en este café.
A2They always play classical music in this cafe.
Los niños ponen la televisión tan pronto llegan a casa.
A2The children turn on the TV as soon as they get home.
Ponen un programa de noticias a las nueve.
B1They broadcast a news program at nine.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Poner' for Media
Unlike English, which uses 'turn on' or 'play,' Spanish often uses 'poner' when deciding what media to consume or start (e.g., music, a movie, the radio).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overusing 'encender'
Mistake: "Ellos encienden música."
Correction: While technically correct for a light switch, 'ponen música' sounds much more natural when referring to playing audio or video.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ponen
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ponen' in the context of starting media?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'ponen' used for both 'put' and 'turn on'?
The core idea of 'poner' is 'to place.' When you 'place' the TV signal or a record on a player, it is conceptually similar to placing an object. This meaning extended naturally to starting media or appliances.
How do I know when to use 'ponen' versus 'colocan'?
'Ponen' is the standard, everyday verb for 'put.' 'Colocan' (from the verb 'colocar') is often used when the placement is precise, careful, or more formal, similar to 'to arrange' or 'to position.'