Inklingo

How to Say "picks up" in Spanish

English → Spanish

recoge

/reh-KOH-heh//reˈko.xe/

VerbA1General
Use 'recoge' when referring to picking up or collecting objects, especially from a surface like the floor or a table.
A person's hand reaching down toward the ground, about to grasp a dropped bright red toy block.

Examples

Ella recoge los juguetes del suelo.

She picks up the toys from the floor.

Señora, por favor, recoge la mesa.

Madam, please, clear the table. (formal command)

¡Recoge tu mochila antes de salir!

Pick up your backpack before leaving! (informal command)

Dual Use: Present Tense vs. Command

"Recoge" is used for two purposes: describing what 'he/she/it' or 'you (formal)' does now (Present Tense), AND giving an informal command to 'you' (tú) to do something immediately.

The 'G' to 'J' Change

Notice how the 'g' in 'recoger' becomes a 'j' in the 'yo' form (recojo) and in the special forms (Subjunctive) to keep the hard 'h' sound.

Confusing informal command

Mistake: “Using 'recojas' for the affirmative informal command.”

Correction: The correct affirmative command for 'tú' is simply the third-person present tense: '¡Recoge!'. 'No recojas' is only used for negative commands.

levanta

leh-VAHN-tah/leˈβanta/

VerbA1General
Use 'levanta' when the action is specifically about lifting an object from a lower position to a higher one, like picking something up off the floor.
A cartoon child happily lifting a small, brightly colored toy block high above their head with both hands.

Examples

El niño levanta el juguete con facilidad.

The child lifts the toy easily.

Usted levanta la mano si tiene una pregunta.

You raise your hand if you have a question.

Present Tense for Routines

This form describes what someone does right now or what they do habitually. Example: 'Ella levanta pesas todos los días' (She lifts weights every day).

Confusing 'Levanta' and 'Se Levanta'

Mistake: “Using 'levanta' when you mean 'gets up' (reflexive).”

Correction: Always add 'se' when the person is lifting themselves: 'Él se levanta' (He gets up), not 'Él levanta'.

aprende

ah-PREN-deh/aˈpɾende/

VerbA1General
Use 'aprende' exclusively for the acquisition of knowledge or skills, meaning 'learns'.
A storybook illustration of a child sitting on the floor, deeply focused on reading a large open book. A bright, glowing lightbulb is depicted floating above the child's head, symbolizing a moment of understanding or learning.

Examples

Mi hijo aprende muy rápido en la escuela.

My son learns very quickly at school.

Usted aprende español con esta aplicación.

You (formal) learn Spanish with this application.

Ella siempre aprende de sus errores.

She always learns from her mistakes.

The 'El/Ella/Usted' Form

This form is used for a single person who is not you or the person you are talking directly to (he, she, or it), OR when speaking politely/formally to one person (Usted).

Regular -ER Verb

Since 'aprender' is regular, its endings follow a predictable pattern. Just remove the '-er' and add the correct ending for the person performing the action.

Confusing 'learns' with 'picks up objects'

The most common mistake is using 'recoge' or 'levanta' when you actually mean 'learns'. Remember that 'aprende' is the only translation for acquiring knowledge or skills, while 'recoge' and 'levanta' refer to physical actions.

Related Translations

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