Inklingo

How to Say "picked up" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “picked up” is “recogió” — use this when picking up an object from a surface or the ground..

recogióA2

Use this when picking up an object from a surface or the ground.

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levantó🔊A1

Use this when lifting something, especially something that was on the floor.

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buscó🔊A2

Use this specifically when collecting someone from a location, like picking them up in a car.

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cogióA2

Use this for the physical act of grabbing or lifting an object, often quickly.

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tomó🔊A1

Use this when picking up an item to hold or use it, like taking someone's hand.

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aprendióA1

Use this for the informal acquisition of a new skill or knowledge.

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agarróB1

Use this when acquiring something, often something negative like a habit or an illness.

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pegóB1

Use this when a habit or something contagious spreads or is acquired quickly.

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ganó🔊B1

Use this when something, like a vehicle, gains speed or momentum.

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English → Spanish

recogió

verbA2general
Use this when picking up an object from a surface or the ground.

Examples

Ella recogió las llaves del suelo.

She picked up the keys from the floor.

verbA1general
Use this when lifting something, especially something that was on the floor.

Examples

Mi abuelo levantó la maleta sin ayuda.

My grandfather picked up the suitcase without help.

buscó

verbA2general
Use this specifically when collecting someone from a location, like picking them up in a car.

Examples

Mi padre me buscó a las ocho.

My father picked me up at eight o'clock.

cogió

verbA2general
Use this for the physical act of grabbing or lifting an object, often quickly.

Examples

Ella cogió el teléfono inmediatamente.

She picked up the phone immediately.

tomó

verbA1general
Use this when picking up an item to hold or use it, like taking someone's hand.

Examples

Ella tomó mi mano y caminamos juntos.

She picked up my hand and we walked together.

aprendió

verbA1informal
Use this for the informal acquisition of a new skill or knowledge.

Examples

Ella aprendió a nadar el verano pasado.

She picked up swimming last summer.

agarró

verbB1general
Use this when acquiring something, often something negative like a habit or an illness.

Examples

Parece que agarró la gripe en el viaje.

It seems he picked up the flu on the trip.

pegó

verbB1general
Use this when a habit or something contagious spreads or is acquired quickly.

Examples

El virus se pegó rápidamente en el colegio.

The virus picked up quickly in the school.

ganó

verbB1general
Use this when something, like a vehicle, gains speed or momentum.

Examples

El coche ganó velocidad rápidamente en la autopista.

The car picked up speed quickly on the highway.

Picking up People vs. Things

The most common confusion is between picking up a person ('buscó') and picking up an object ('recogió', 'levantó', 'cogió'). Remember that 'buscó' is specifically for collecting people, while the others refer to objects.

Related Translations

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