Inklingo

How to Say "collection" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “collection” is “colección” — use 'colección' when referring to a group of items that have been gathered together, especially for display or as a hobby.

colecciónA1

Use 'colección' when referring to a group of items that have been gathered together, especially for display or as a hobby.

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grupo🔊A1

Use 'grupo' for a general gathering of items or people, without the implication of intentional gathering or display.

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cobro🔊A2

Use 'cobro' specifically for the act of receiving or collecting money, like payments or fees.

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conjunto🔊A2

Use 'conjunto' to refer to a set or group of related items, often implying they form a complete unit.

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recogida🔊A2

Use 'recogida' for the act of picking up or gathering items that are typically disposed of, collected, or delivered, like trash or mail.

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repertorio🔊B1

Use 'repertorio' for a stock or list of items, especially artistic works like songs, plays, or pieces a performer knows.

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recaudaciónB2

Use 'recaudación' for the formal act of gathering money, especially taxes or funds for a specific cause.

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reuniónB2

Use 'reunión' when referring to a compilation or bringing together of disparate items or works into one place, like an anthology.

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vaca🔊B2

Use 'vaca' informally for a group collection of money from multiple people for a shared purpose, like a gift or a party.

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percepciónC1

Use 'percepción' in a formal or official context to mean the collection or receipt of money, particularly taxes or dues.

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suite🔊C1

Use 'suite' to refer to a set of things that belong together, often in a musical or artistic context, like a musical suite or a hotel suite.

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English → Spanish

colección

nounA1general
Use 'colección' when referring to a group of items that have been gathered together, especially for display or as a hobby.

Examples

Mi abuelo tiene una colección increíble de relojes antiguos.

My grandfather has an incredible collection of antique watches.

grupo

GROO-pohˈɡɾupo

NounA1general
Use 'grupo' for a general gathering of items or people, without the implication of intentional gathering or display.
A collection of three bright red apples sitting closely together on a flat surface, representing a general group of things.

Examples

Un grupo de turistas espera el autobús.

A group of tourists is waiting for the bus.

Hay un grupo de llaves sobre la mesa.

There is a bunch of keys on the table.

Vamos a trabajar en grupos de tres personas.

We are going to work in groups of three people.

One Group IS, Not ARE

Even though a 'grupo' has many members, Spanish treats the word itself as one single thing. So, you use the singular form of the verb. For example, say 'El grupo es grande' (The group is big), not 'El grupo son grande'.

cobro

KOH-brohˈko.βɾo

nounA2general
Use 'cobro' specifically for the act of receiving or collecting money, like payments or fees.
A hand receiving a stack of gold coins from another person.

Examples

El cobro del alquiler se realiza el primer día del mes.

The rent collection takes place on the first day of the month.

Se aceptan diferentes medios de cobro, como tarjeta o efectivo.

Different methods of payment are accepted, such as card or cash.

Hubo un error en el cobro de mi factura telefónica.

There was an error in the charging of my phone bill.

Cobro vs. Pago

In Spanish, 'cobro' is from the perspective of the person receiving the money. If you are the one giving the money, you use 'pago'.

Using 'cobro' for 'check'

Mistake: “Tengo un cobro para el banco.”

Correction: Tengo un cheque para cobrar.

conjunto

kon-HOON-tohkonˈxunto

nounA2general
Use 'conjunto' to refer to a set or group of related items, often implying they form a complete unit.
Four brightly colored wooden building blocks (cube, pyramid, cylinder, sphere) arranged together, representing a set.

Examples

El conjunto de reglas es simple.

The set of rules is simple.

Necesitamos analizar el conjunto de datos antes de decidir.

We need to analyze the data set before deciding.

El conjunto de edificios antiguos es muy bonito.

The group of old buildings is very beautiful.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'conjunto' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it, and any adjectives describing it must also end in -o (e.g., 'el conjunto grande').

recogida

rre-ko-HEE-dahrekoˈxiða

nounA2general
Use 'recogida' for the act of picking up or gathering items that are typically disposed of, collected, or delivered, like trash or mail.
A child being picked up and hugged by a parent at a school gate.

Examples

La recogida de equipaje está al final del pasillo.

Baggage claim (luggage pickup) is at the end of the hallway.

El horario de recogida de basura ha cambiado.

The trash collection schedule has changed.

Confirmaron la recogida del paquete para mañana por la tarde.

They confirmed the pickup of the package for tomorrow afternoon.

A Noun from a Verb

This word is the noun version of the verb 'recoger' (to pick up). It describes the action of picking something up as a single event.

Using it for 'Pick up'

Mistake: “Voy a la recogida de mi hermano.”

Correction: Voy a recoger a mi hermano.

repertorio

re-per-TO-ryoreberˈtoɾjo

nounB1general
Use 'repertorio' for a stock or list of items, especially artistic works like songs, plays, or pieces a performer knows.
A stack of colorful sheet music and a violin resting on a wooden stage.

Examples

El guitarrista tiene un repertorio muy variado de música clásica.

The guitarist has a very varied repertoire of classical music.

La banda decidió incluir temas nuevos en su repertorio para el concierto.

The band decided to include new songs in their repertoire for the concert.

Es difícil aprenderse todo el repertorio en una semana.

It is difficult to learn the whole repertoire in one week.

Always Masculine

The word 'repertorio' is always masculine, so you must always use 'el' or 'un' with it, regardless of what is in the collection.

Describing the Content

To say what the collection consists of, use the word 'de' (of) immediately after 'repertorio,' like 'repertorio de canciones' (repertoire of songs).

Confusing with 'reportar'

Mistake: “Usar 'repertorio' para decir 'informe'.”

Correction: Use 'informe' for a report. 'Repertorio' is a collection or set of things someone can do.

recaudación

nounB2formal
Use 'recaudación' for the formal act of gathering money, especially taxes or funds for a specific cause.

Examples

La recaudación de impuestos es necesaria para los servicios públicos.

The collection of taxes is necessary for public services.

reunión

NounB2general
Use 'reunión' when referring to a compilation or bringing together of disparate items or works into one place, like an anthology.

Examples

El libro es una reunión de sus mejores ensayos.

The book is a collection of his best essays.

vaca

BAH-kahˈbaka

nounB2informal
Use 'vaca' informally for a group collection of money from multiple people for a shared purpose, like a gift or a party.
Multiple hands, representing different people, dropping shiny gold coins into a large, half-full glass jar, symbolizing a shared money collection.

Examples

Vamos a hacer una vaca para comprarle un regalo a Carlos.

We are going to start a collection (a kitty) to buy Carlos a gift.

Si todos ponemos diez euros, completamos la vaca para la cena.

If we all put in ten euros, we complete the pot for dinner.

Using 'Hacer'

The most common way to use this meaning is with the verb 'hacer' (to do/make): 'hacer una vaca' means 'to organize a collection'.

percepción

nounC1formal
Use 'percepción' in a formal or official context to mean the collection or receipt of money, particularly taxes or dues.

Examples

La percepción de impuestos es necesaria para los servicios públicos.

The collection of taxes is necessary for public services.

suite

sweetswi.te

nounC1general
Use 'suite' to refer to a set of things that belong together, often in a musical or artistic context, like a musical suite or a hotel suite.
A simple illustration showing a violin, a viola, and a cello placed together, representing a complete set of related musical instruments.

Examples

El compositor terminó la suite orquestal en solo tres meses.

The composer finished the orchestral suite in only three months.

Nuestra empresa utiliza una suite de software para gestionar todos los datos.

Our company uses a software suite to manage all the data.

Context Clues

When you see 'suite' used outside of a travel context, it almost always means a group of related things that work together, like computer programs or musical movements.

Item Collections vs. Money Collections

The most common confusion is between 'colección' (for items) and words for collecting money like 'cobro' or 'recaudación'. Remember, 'colección' is for things you gather, while 'cobro' and 'recaudación' refer to the act of getting paid.

Related Translations

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