Inklingo

How to Say "caught" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “caught” is “atrapó” — use this when someone or something physically grabs a moving object or person, like catching a ball or a fleeing suspect..

atrapó🔊A2

Use this when someone or something physically grabs a moving object or person, like catching a ball or a fleeing suspect.

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atrapado🔊A2

Use this to describe a state of being physically trapped, stuck, or ensnared by something or someone.

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cogido🔊A2

Use this to indicate the result of being caught or apprehended, often by authorities.

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tomó🔊A1

Use this primarily when referring to catching a form of transportation like a bus or train, or to 'taking' a hand.

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agarró🔊B1

Use this when someone catches an illness, like a cold or the flu.

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cogió🔊B1

Use this when catching transportation, similar to 'tomó', but often preferred in Spain.

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pillado🔊B1

Use this when someone is caught in the act of doing something wrong, or is discovered and trapped.

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capturado🔊B1

Use this when someone, typically a criminal or fugitive, has been apprehended or captured by authorities.

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pegó🔊B1

Use this specifically when a disease or virus spreads and affects someone, meaning it 'caught on' or was contracted.

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pescado🔊B1

Use this specifically in the context of catching fish; it's the past participle of 'pescar' (to fish).

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English → Spanish

atrapó

/ah-tra-POH//a.tɾaˈpo/

verbA2general
Use this when someone or something physically grabs a moving object or person, like catching a ball or a fleeing suspect.
A person wearing a baseball glove catching a high-flying baseball in a grassy field.

Examples

El jugador atrapó la pelota con una mano.

The player caught the ball with one hand.

La policía atrapó al ladrón en el callejón.

The police caught the thief in the alley.

Talking about the past

The ending '-ó' tells you that a single action happened and finished in the past. It specifically refers to 'he,' 'she,' or 'it' doing the action.

The Importance of the Accent

The accent mark on the 'ó' is vital. Without it, 'atrapo' means 'I catch' (present). With it, 'atrapó' means 'he/she caught' (past).

Mixing up the person

Mistake: “Using 'atrapó' to mean 'I caught'.”

Correction: For 'I caught', use 'atrapé'. 'Atrapó' is only for someone else (he, she, you formal).

atrapado

ah-trah-PAH-doh/a.tɾaˈpa.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use this to describe a state of being physically trapped, stuck, or ensnared by something or someone.
A tiny brown mouse is physically trapped inside a clear glass jar, looking frustrated and unable to escape.

Examples

El gato estaba atrapado en el árbol.

The cat was trapped in the tree.

Encontraron al ladrón atrapado por la policía.

They found the thief caught by the police.

La pelota quedó atrapada entre las rocas.

The ball got stuck between the rocks.

Agreement is Key

Like all Spanish describing words, 'atrapado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'atrapado' (masculine singular), 'atrapada' (feminine singular), 'atrapados' (masculine plural), and 'atrapadas' (feminine plural).

cogido

coh-HEE-doh/koˈxi.ðo/

past participleA2general
Use this to indicate the result of being caught or apprehended, often by authorities.
A small, wide-eyed, bright orange fish dangling from a simple fishing hook held by an unseen hand, illustrating the moment of capture.

Examples

El ladrón fue cogido por la policía.

The thief was caught by the police.

Hemos cogido todas las manzanas del árbol.

We have grabbed all the apples from the tree.

Forming Perfect Tenses

Use 'cogido' with a form of the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past, like 'He cogido' (I have caught).

Agreement as an Adjective

When used to describe a person or thing, 'cogido' must match its gender and number: 'la cosa cogida' (the thing caught), 'los libros cogidos' (the books taken).

Confusing Past Participles

Mistake: “Using 'cogiendo' (the -ing form) instead of 'cogido' for perfect tenses.”

Correction: Always use the '-ido' form ('cogido') with 'haber' for completed actions.

tomó

toh-MOH/toˈmo/

verbA1general
Use this primarily when referring to catching a form of transportation like a bus or train, or to 'taking' a hand.
A cartoon hand reaching out and grasping a bright red apple resting on a white surface.

Examples

Ella tomó mi mano y caminamos juntos.

She took my hand and we walked together.

Mi jefe tomó un avión a Madrid ayer.

My boss took a plane to Madrid yesterday.

Él tomó una foto del paisaje.

He took a picture of the landscape.

The Single Past Action

Tomó describes an action that started and finished completely in the past, like a snapshot in time. It translates to the simple English past tense, 'took'.

Who Did the Action?

Tomó is used when the person doing the action is 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), or 'usted' (formal you).

agarró

ah-gah-RROH/aɣaˈro/

verbB1general
Use this when someone catches an illness, like a cold or the flu.
A sick, cartoon child character sitting in bed, looking miserable with a red nose, holding a crumpled tissue.

Examples

Parece que agarró la gripe en el viaje.

It seems he caught the flu on the trip.

Ella agarró un mal hábito de morderse las uñas.

She picked up a bad habit of biting her nails.

Catching a Cold

Mistake: “Usar 'capturó' para un resfriado (Él capturó un resfriado).”

Correction: Use 'agarró' or 'cogió' (Él agarró un resfriado). 'Capturar' is only for physically catching animals or people.

cogió

koh-HEE-oh/koˈxjo/

verbB1general
Use this when catching transportation, similar to 'tomó', but often preferred in Spain.
A person's foot stepping onto the lower step of a large yellow bus just before the door closes.

Examples

Llegó tarde y no cogió el tren de las diez.

He arrived late and didn't catch the ten o'clock train.

Ella cogió un resfriado después de la lluvia.

She caught a cold after the rain.

Using 'Coger' for Sports

Mistake: “Usó 'cogió el balón' para decir 'He caught the ball' in a soccer game.”

Correction: Use 'atrapó' or 'paró' instead. 'Coger' is typically for static objects or transport, not fast-moving sports equipment.

pillado

pee-YAH-doh/piˈʎa.ðo/

adjectiveB1informal
Use this when someone is caught in the act of doing something wrong, or is discovered and trapped.
A small, surprised fox is caught halfway inside a simple woven basket trap in a forest clearing, illustrating being discovered or trapped.

Examples

El ladrón fue pillado justo cuando salía de la tienda.

The thief was caught just as he was leaving the store.

Estamos pillados en un atasco terrible en la autopista.

We are trapped/stuck in a terrible traffic jam on the highway.

Agreement is Key

Like many adjectives, 'pillado' must match the person or thing it describes: 'La niña está pillada' (The girl is caught).

Using the Wrong Verb

Mistake: “Fui pillado en el tráfico. (Implies the action of being caught is permanent.)”

Correction: Estoy pillado en el tráfico. (Use 'estar' to describe the temporary state of being stuck.)

capturado

kahp-too-RAH-doh/kap.tuˈɾa.ðo/

adjectiveB1formal
Use this when someone, typically a criminal or fugitive, has been apprehended or captured by authorities.
A brightly colored butterfly resting inside a closed, clear glass jar, symbolizing being captured or seized.

Examples

El criminal fue capturado anoche por la policía.

The criminal was captured last night by the police.

La imagen capturada era de muy baja resolución.

The captured image was very low resolution.

Los documentos capturados contenían información sensible.

The seized documents contained sensitive information.

Gender and Number Match

As an adjective, 'capturado' must always match the noun it describes. If the noun is feminine (like 'la ladrona'), it becomes 'capturada'. If it's plural (like 'los peces'), it becomes 'capturados'.

pegó

peh-GOH/peˈɣo/

verbB1general
Use this specifically when a disease or virus spreads and affects someone, meaning it 'caught on' or was contracted.
A cartoon character wrapped in a blanket sneezing into a tissue, showing signs of having contracted an illness.

Examples

El virus se pegó rápidamente en el colegio.

The virus spread quickly in the school.

Mi hermano me pegó su mal humor.

My brother transferred his bad mood to me (made me feel bad too).

pescado

/pes-KAH-doh//pesˈkaðo/

past participleB1general
Use this specifically in the context of catching fish; it's the past participle of 'pescar' (to fish).
A close-up illustration of a fishing line pulled taut, with a small, silver fish caught on the hook and dangling above the water, indicating the action is complete.

Examples

Hemos pescado muchos salmones esta mañana.

We have fished (caught) many salmon this morning.

El tesoro fue pescado del fondo del mar.

The treasure was fished (brought up) from the bottom of the sea.

La red estaba llena de peces pescados.

The net was full of caught fish.

Spelling Change in the Preterite

In the past tense (preterite) 'yo' form, verbs ending in -car (like 'pescar') change 'c' to 'qu' before the 'é' ending. This keeps the hard 'k' sound: 'Yo pesqué' (I fished).

Forming Perfect Tenses

To say 'I have fished,' you use the verb 'haber' (to have) plus 'pescado': 'He pescado'. This form never changes its ending, regardless of who is doing the action.

Incorrect Preterite Spelling

Mistake: “Yo pescó ayer.”

Correction: Yo pesqué ayer. (Remember to add the 'u' after the 'c' in the 'yo' form of -car verbs in the past tense.)

Confusion between catching objects and transportation

Learners often confuse verbs like 'atrapó' (catching a ball) with 'tomó' or 'cogió' (catching a bus). Remember that 'atrapó' implies physically grasping something moving, while 'tomó' and 'cogió' refer to boarding or using public transport.

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