Inklingo

How to Say "grabbed" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “grabbed” is “agarró” — use 'agarró' for the general physical action of taking hold of something, often with a sense of firmness or a quick movement..

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agarró

verbA2general
Use 'agarró' for the general physical action of taking hold of something, often with a sense of firmness or a quick movement.

Examples

Ella agarró el paraguas justo antes de que cayera al suelo.

She grabbed the umbrella just before it fell to the ground.

cogió

verbA2general
Use 'cogió' for the simple act of taking hold of something, similar to picking it up or taking possession of it.

Examples

Ella cogió el teléfono inmediatamente.

She grabbed the phone immediately.

tomado

toh-MAH-doh/toˈmaðo/

verb (Past Participle)A1general
Use 'tomado' when referring to the state of physically holding something or having taken it, often in a past participle construction.
A close-up view of a hand lifting a bright red apple off a simple wooden table, illustrating the action of taking something.

Examples

Hemos tomado muchas fotos en el viaje.

We have taken many photos on the trip.

Ella había tomado la decisión de irse.

She had taken the decision to leave.

¿Ya has tomado el café?

Have you drunk the coffee yet?

Partnering with 'Haber'

Use 'tomado' with a form of the verb 'haber' (like 'he', 'has', 'ha') to talk about actions completed in the past, similar to using 'have' or 'had' in English.

Always Unchanging

When 'tomado' teams up with 'haber', it never changes its ending, regardless of who did the action or how many people there are. (e.g., 'Hemos tomado', 'Ella ha tomado').

Misusing 'Ser' or 'Estar'

Mistake: “Hemos *está* tomado la foto.”

Correction: Hemos *tomado* la foto. (The helping verb must be 'haber' for completed actions.)

cogido

coh-HEE-doh/koˈxi.ðo/

Past ParticipleA2general
Use 'cogido' primarily when something is 'caught' or 'held' in a more passive or resultant sense, often used in passive voice constructions.
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.

Agarrar vs. Coger

The most common confusion is between 'agarró' and 'cogió', as both translate to the physical act of grabbing. While often interchangeable, 'agarró' can imply a slightly firmer grip, whereas 'cogió' is more neutral for taking hold of something.

Related Translations

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