Inklingo

How to Say "catching" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cogiendo

/ko-HYEN-do//koˈxjendo/

verbA2informal
Use 'cogiendo' when referring to the act of physically catching a ball, or metaphorically catching an illness or a ride on public transport.
A person holding a large brown cardboard box with both hands.

Examples

Cogí un resfriado ayer.

I caught a cold yesterday.

Estoy cogiendo el autobús para ir al trabajo.

I am taking the bus to go to work.

Él está cogiendo sus cosas de la mesa.

He is grabbing his things from the table.

The '-ing' form

Cogiendo is a special form of the verb 'coger'. You use it with 'estar' (to be) to describe an action that is happening right at this moment.

Regional Sensitivity

Mistake: “Using 'cogiendo' for 'taking a bus' in Mexico.”

Correction: Use 'tomando' instead. In Mexico, 'cogiendo' has a very strong sexual meaning and can be offensive if used in public.

tomando

toh-MAHN-doh/toˈmando/

verbA2
Use 'tomando' specifically when you are taking a form of transport, like a bus, train, or taxi, emphasizing the act of boarding or using it.
A simplified character stepping up onto the first step of a large, colorful city bus.

Examples

Estamos tomando el autobús escolar.

We are taking the school bus.

Estamos tomando el tren ahora mismo. Llegaremos pronto.

We are taking the train right now. We will arrive soon.

Si llueve, terminaremos tomando un taxi a casa.

If it rains, we will end up taking a taxi home.

Using 'Llevar' for Transport

Mistake: “Estoy llevando el bus.”

Correction: Estoy tomando el bus. (In Spanish, 'llevar' means 'to carry' or 'to transport someone else,' not 'to ride' a vehicle.)

cazando

/ka-SAHN-doh//kaˈsando/

verbA2
Use 'cazando' when the meaning is actively hunting or pursuing an animal, or spotting something specific, like a bird or an object.
A fox stealthily moving through tall grass, tracking something in the distance.

Examples

El gato está cazando un ratón.

The cat is hunting a mouse.

El águila está cazando un ratón.

The eagle is hunting a mouse.

Llevo toda la mañana cazando ofertas en internet.

I've been hunting for deals on the internet all morning.

¡Presta atención! Estás cazando moscas.

Pay attention! You're daydreaming.

The '-ing' Form

Cazando is a gerund, which is the Spanish equivalent of English words ending in '-ing.' You use it with the verb 'estar' to describe actions happening right now.

Don't use it as a title

Mistake: “Using 'Cazando es difícil' for 'Hunting is difficult.'”

Correction: Say 'Cazar es difícil.' In Spanish, we use the base form (infinitive) when the action is the subject of the sentence.

Mistaking 'cogiendo' for 'tomando' transport

While both 'cogiendo' and 'tomando' can mean 'taking' transport, 'cogiendo' is more common in informal speech for catching a bus or train. However, be aware that 'coger' has vulgar connotations in some Latin American countries, where 'tomar' is preferred for this meaning.

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