poner
“poner” means “to put” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
to put, to place
Also: to set
📝 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.
to turn on, to switch on
Also: to play
📝 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.
📝 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.
to contribute, to put in
Also: to chip in
📝 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
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "poner" in Spanish:
to become→to contribute→to get→to place→to play→to put→to set→🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: poner
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'She became sad'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'pōnere', which meant 'to put, place, or set'. Many other Spanish verbs are built on this root, like 'componer' (to put together) and 'proponer' (to put forward).
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 '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'.