recoger
/reh-koh-HER/
to pick up
Recoger can mean "to pick up" objects from the floor or ground.
recoger(verb)
to pick up
?objects from the floor or ground
,to gather
?collecting things together
to harvest
?fruits or crops
📝 In Action
Por favor, recoge los juguetes antes de la cena.
A1Please pick up the toys before dinner.
Recogimos fresas en el campo esta mañana.
A2We gathered strawberries in the field this morning.
💡 Grammar Points
Spelling Change (G to J)
In the 'yo' form of the present tense ('recojo') and throughout the special wish/command forms (subjunctive), the 'g' changes to a 'j' to keep the consistent 'kh' sound.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Ground
Use 'recoger' specifically when the action involves bringing something up from a lower place (like the floor or the ground).
Recoger also means "to pick up" a person, often in a vehicle.
recoger(verb)
to pick up
?a person
,to fetch
?transporting someone
to meet
?at a specific place
📝 In Action
¿Puedes recogerme en el aeropuerto mañana?
A2Can you pick me up at the airport tomorrow?
Mi padre siempre me recoge de la escuela.
A2My father always picks me up from school.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Personal 'A'
Since you are picking up a person (a specific object), you must use the 'a' right after 'recoger': 'Recojo a mi hermana.'
Another meaning of recoger is "to tidy up" or organize a space.
recoger(verb)
to tidy up
?organizing a space
,to clear away
?removing clutter
to put away
?storing items
📝 In Action
Necesitas recoger tu cuarto antes de salir.
B1You need to tidy up your room before leaving.
Después de la fiesta, ayudamos a recoger la casa.
B1After the party, we helped clear away/tidy the house.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tidying vs. Cleaning
While 'limpiar' means scrubbing or washing, 'recoger' focuses on putting things where they belong, making a space neat.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: recoger
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is NOT a primary meaning of 'recoger'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'recoger' used for picking up the phone?
No. While 'recoger' means to pick up objects from the ground, for answering the phone, Spanish speakers typically use 'coger el teléfono' (to take the phone) or 'contestar el teléfono' (to answer the phone).
What is the difference between 'recoger' and 'juntar'?
'Recoger' specifically implies bringing something up or back (like picking up keys you dropped). 'Juntar' means to bring things or people together, often horizontally, like 'juntar dinero' (to save money) or 'juntar a la familia' (to gather the family).