Inklingo

How to Say "put" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “put” is “puesto” — use 'puesto' when forming the present perfect tense to indicate that something has been placed, like 'I have put'..

puesto🔊A2

Use 'puesto' when forming the present perfect tense to indicate that something has been placed, like 'I have put'.

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pon🔊A1

Use 'pon' as an informal command to tell someone to physically place an object, like 'Put the book down'.

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ponga🔊A1

Use 'ponga' as a formal command (usted) to tell someone to place an object, similar to 'Please put the items here'.

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pongan🔊A2

Use 'pongan' as a formal command for multiple people (ustedes) to place objects, meaning 'Put your belongings here'.

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colocado🔊A2

Use 'colocado' as an adjective to describe the state of something being placed or located in a specific position.

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echado🔊A1

Use 'echado' when indicating the action of adding or throwing something into a place, like 'put the letter in the box'.

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echó🔊B1

Use 'echó' (preterite of echar) when describing a past action of pouring or adding something into a container.

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lanzamiento🔊B1

Use 'lanzamiento' specifically for the noun referring to a 'throw' or 'put' in sports, like shot put or javelin throw.

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English → Spanish

puesto

/PWES-toh//ˈpwesto/

Verb (Past Participle)A2
Use 'puesto' when forming the present perfect tense to indicate that something has been placed, like 'I have put'.
A close-up view of a pair of silver keys resting clearly on a smooth wooden tabletop.

Examples

He puesto las llaves sobre la mesa.

I have put the keys on the table.

¿Dónde has puesto mi libro?

Where have you put my book?

Nunca habíamos puesto un pie en esta ciudad.

We had never set foot in this city.

The 'Have Done' Form

This is the special form of 'poner' (to put) that you use with the helper verb 'haber' (to have) to talk about things that 'have happened.' For example, 'he puesto' means 'I have put'.

It Doesn't Change Here

When used with 'haber' to form a main verb (like in 'he puesto'), 'puesto' always stays the same. It doesn't change for masculine or feminine things.

Irregular vs. Regular

Mistake: “A common mistake is trying to make a regular form, like 'ponido'.”

Correction: The verb 'poner' is irregular, so its past participle is always 'puesto'. Just remember: 'poner' -> 'puesto'.

pon

/pon//pon/

Verb (Affirmative Command Form)A1informal
Use 'pon' as an informal command to tell someone to physically place an object, like 'Put the book down'.
A close-up of a hand placing a bright red wooden block onto a clean wooden table, demonstrating physical placement.

Examples

¡Pon la mesa ahora mismo! Vamos a cenar.

Set the table right now! We are going to have dinner.

Pon el vaso sobre el posavasos, por favor.

Put the glass on the coaster, please.

Cuando llegues, pon las llaves en el gancho de la entrada.

When you arrive, put the keys on the hook by the entrance.

The 'Irregular Eight' Commands

'Pon' is one of eight highly irregular informal (tú) affirmative commands. You just have to memorize it! It does not follow the normal pattern of verb endings.

Pronoun Placement

When you use 'pon' with words like 'lo' or 'la' (it), they always stick directly onto the end of the command: 'Ponlo aquí' (Put it here).

Using the 'er' Ending

Mistake: “Pones el libro allí.”

Correction: ¡Pon el libro allí! The form 'pones' is used for regular statements, not direct commands.

ponga

/pon-ga//ˈpoŋɡa/

verbA1formal
Use 'ponga' as a formal command (usted) to tell someone to place an object, similar to 'Please put the items here'.
A close-up view of a hand gently placing a single bright red apple onto a clean wooden surface.

Examples

Ponga los libros sobre el escritorio.

Put the books on the desk (formal command).

Es necesario que yo ponga atención a la clase.

It is necessary that I pay attention to the class (Subjunctive 'I' form).

No creo que mi jefe ponga el dinero mañana.

I don't believe that my boss will put the money down tomorrow (Subjunctive 'he' form).

Formal Commands

'Ponga' is the standard way to tell someone politely ('usted') what to put or place, like saying 'Please, put the dish here.'

The 'Yo-Go' Rule

The stem of 'ponga' comes from the irregular 'yo' form of the present tense ('yo pongo'). All verbs whose 'yo' form ends in '-go' follow this pattern in the special 'wish/doubt' forms (Subjunctive).

Using the wrong mood

Mistake: “No creo que él pone la llave aquí.”

Correction: No creo que él ponga la llave aquí. (Use 'ponga' after expressions of doubt, like 'No creo que...').

pongan

POHN-gahn/ˈpoŋ.ɡan/

VerbA2formal
Use 'pongan' as a formal command for multiple people (ustedes) to place objects, meaning 'Put your belongings here'.
A person's hand gently placing a single red apple onto a simple wooden table.

Examples

Por favor, pongan sus maletas aquí.

Please, put your suitcases here (formal 'you all' command).

Necesito que pongan atención a las instrucciones.

I need you all to pay attention to the instructions (subjunctive).

Ojalá que nos pongan una mesa grande.

Hopefully, they set a big table for us (wish).

Formal Group Command

When giving a command to a group of people (ustedes), use 'pongan.' This is the formal way to say 'you all put/place.'

The Subjunctive Mood

The form 'pongan' is the special verb form (present subjunctive) used after words that express doubt, desire, necessity, or emotion, like 'Es necesario que pongan...' (It is necessary that you all put...).

Using the 'g' sound incorrectly

Mistake: “Sometimes learners forget the 'g' sound and say 'ponan'.”

Correction: The verb 'poner' is irregular and adds a 'g' in many forms, including 'pongan'. Remember P-O-N-G-A-N.

colocado

/koh-loh-KAH-doh//koloˈkaðo/

adjectiveA2
Use 'colocado' as an adjective to describe the state of something being placed or located in a specific position.
A single red apple sitting perfectly in the center of a small wooden stool.

Examples

El jarrón está bien colocado sobre la mesa.

The vase is well placed on the table.

Los libros están colocados por orden alfabético.

The books are arranged in alphabetical order.

Changing the Ending

Since this word describes a noun, you must change the 'o' to 'a' if you are talking about a feminine thing (una silla colocada) or add 's' for plurals (libros colocados).

Using with 'Estar'

When describing where something is currently located, always use the verb 'estar' (to be) before 'colocado'.

echado

eh-CHAH-doh/eˈt͡ʃa.ðo/

Past ParticipleA1
Use 'echado' when indicating the action of adding or throwing something into a place, like 'put the letter in the box'.
A bright yellow frisbee flying rapidly through the air against a clear blue sky, illustrating the action of being thrown.

Examples

Ya hemos echado la carta al buzón.

We have already put/thrown the letter in the mailbox.

Ella había echado demasiada azúcar al café.

She had poured/put too much sugar in the coffee.

Forming Perfect Tenses

'Echado' is combined with forms of the helping verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses like the present perfect ('he echado', I have thrown/put) and past perfect ('había echado', I had thrown/put).

Use in Passive Voice

It can also be combined with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that an action was done to someone or something: 'El balón fue echado fuera' (The ball was thrown out).

Confusing Echar and Hacer

Mistake: “Some learners confuse 'echar' (to throw/put) with 'hacer' (to do/make).”

Correction: Remember that 'echado' is only the participle of 'echar'. The participle of 'hacer' is 'hecho'.

echó

eh-CHOH/eˈt͡ʃo/

Verb (Past Tense)B1
Use 'echó' (preterite of echar) when describing a past action of pouring or adding something into a container.
A hand holding a clear glass pitcher is pouring clear liquid into a matching clear drinking glass.

Examples

Antes de salir, la camarera echó más café en su taza.

Before leaving, the waitress poured more coffee into his cup.

Mi abuela echó demasiada azúcar al postre.

My grandmother added too much sugar to the dessert.

A Verb of Placement

In Spanish, 'echar' is often used where English uses 'put' or 'pour,' emphasizing the action of sending something into a space or mixture.

lanzamiento

/lan-sah-MYEN-toh//lanθaˈmjento/

nounB1
Use 'lanzamiento' specifically for the noun referring to a 'throw' or 'put' in sports, like shot put or javelin throw.
An illustration of an athlete executing a powerful shot put throw in a circular ring.

Examples

Ganó la medalla de oro en el lanzamiento de jabalina.

He won the gold medal in the javelin throw.

El árbitro pitó un lanzamiento de falta.

The referee whistled for a free throw.

Verb Conjugations vs. Adjectives

Learners often confuse the past participle 'puesto' (used with 'haber' for perfect tenses) with the adjective 'colocado' (describing a state of being placed). Remember, 'puesto' implies the action of putting has been completed, while 'colocado' describes the result.

Related Translations

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