poner
/po-ner/
to put
Poner: To put/To place (Pongo las llaves en la mesa.)
poner(Verb)
to put
?placing an object somewhere
,to place
?setting something down
to set
?e.g., to set the table
📝 In Action
Pongo las llaves en la mesa.
A1I put the keys on the table.
¿Dónde pongo tu abrigo?
A1Where do I put your coat?
Vamos a poner la mesa para la cena.
A2Let's set the table for dinner.
💡 Grammar Points
Irregular 'yo' form: 'pongo'
In the present tense, the 'yo' (I) form is special: 'pongo'. This '-go' ending also appears in other important verbs like 'hago' (I do) and 'salgo' (I leave).
Irregular Past Tense
The simple past tense (preterite) changes a lot. The stem becomes 'pus-'. For example: 'Yo puse' (I put), 'Él puso' (He put).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Irregular Past Tense
Mistake: "Yo poní el libro en la mesa."
Correction: The correct form is 'Yo puse el libro en la mesa.' The past tense of 'poner' is highly irregular and needs to be memorized.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Poner' vs. 'Colocar'
'Poner' is the general, everyday word for 'to put'. 'Colocar' is a good synonym, but it often implies placing something more carefully or in its proper spot. When in doubt, 'poner' is almost always correct.
Poner: To turn on/To switch on (Pon la televisión.)
poner(Verb)
to turn on
?for appliances, music, lights
,to switch on
?for electronics
to play
?for music or a movie
📝 In Action
Por favor, pon la televisión.
A2Please, turn on the television.
¿Puedes poner algo de música?
A2Can you put on some music?
Puse la calefacción porque hacía frío.
B1I turned on the heat because it was cold.
⭐ Usage Tips
Everyday Usage
While 'encender' also means 'to turn on', 'poner' is often the more common and casual choice in everyday speech for things like the TV, radio, or air conditioning.
Ponerse: To put on (clothing) (Ponte la chaqueta.)
poner(Reflexive Verb)
to become
?describing a change in state or mood
,to get
?e.g., to get sad, to get nervous
to put on
?clothing
📝 In Action
Me pongo nervioso antes de los exámenes.
B1I get nervous before exams.
Ella se puso muy contenta con la noticia.
B1She became very happy with the news.
Ponte la chaqueta, que hace frío.
A2Put on your jacket, it's cold.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'ponerse' for Changes
Use 'ponerse + adjective' to talk about a sudden or temporary change in someone's mood, health, or physical appearance. Think of it like a state you 'put on' for a while.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'se'
Mistake: "Yo pongo triste cuando llueve."
Correction: Use 'Me pongo triste cuando llueve.' You need the little word ('me', 'te', 'se', etc.) to show the change is happening to the person.
⭐ Usage Tips
Temporary vs. Permanent Change
'Ponerse' is perfect for temporary changes ('se puso pálido' - he turned pale). For more permanent or fundamental changes, Spanish uses other verbs like 'volverse' or 'hacerse'.
Poner: To contribute/To put in (effort, money) (Puso 20 euros.)
poner(Verb)
to contribute
?money, ideas
,to put in
?effort, money
to chip in
?informal, for money
📝 In Action
Cada uno puso 20 euros para el regalo.
B1Each person put in 20 euros for the gift.
Si todos ponemos de nuestra parte, terminaremos rápido.
B2If we all do our part, we'll finish quickly.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: poner
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'She became sad'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'poner' and 'ponerse'?
Think of it this way: 'poner' is something you do to an object ('I put the book on the table'). 'Ponerse' is something that happens to you ('I get nervous'). The little 'se' (or 'me', 'te') reflects the action back onto the person.
When should I use 'poner' vs. 'colocar' for 'to put'?
'Poner' is your all-purpose, everyday verb for 'to put'. It's always a safe bet. 'Colocar' is a bit more specific, implying you're putting something in its correct or a specific place, maybe with a bit more care. For example, you'd 'colocar' books on a shelf but 'poner' your keys on the counter.
How do I say 'turn off' if 'poner' means 'turn on'?
The most common verb for 'to turn off' is 'apagar'. So you 'pones la luz' (turn on the light) and 'apagas la luz' (turn off the light). For things like music or the TV, you can also sometimes use 'quitar'.