How to Say "to catch" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to catch” is “coger” — use 'coger' to mean taking transportation like a bus or train, or to intercept something thrown.
coger
ko-kherkoˈxeɾ
Examples
Si no te apuras, vas a perder el tren, ¡cógelo ya!
If you don't hurry up, you're going to miss the train, catch it now!
Por favor, coge ese libro de la mesa.
Please, grab that book from the table.
Necesitas coger la herramienta con firmeza.
You need to take hold of the tool firmly.
Creo que cogí un resfriado por el frío de anoche.
I think I caught a cold because of the cold last night.
The G to J Shift
In Spanish, the sound of the letter 'g' changes to 'j' whenever it comes before the vowels 'a' or 'o'. This is why 'yo' changes from 'coger' to 'cojo' (instead of 'cogo').
Transportation Verbs
In Spain, 'coger' is the standard way to talk about getting on or taking any form of public transport (bus, taxi, train). In Latin America, you must use 'tomar' or 'agarrar'.
agarrar
ah-gah-RRAHRaɣaˈraɾ
Examples
Si no te abrigas bien, vas a agarrar un resfriado.
If you don't bundle up well, you are going to catch a cold.
Llegamos tarde y no pudimos agarrar el último autobús.
We arrived late and couldn't catch the last bus.
Me costó un poco, pero al final agarré la idea del profesor.
It took me a while, but in the end I grasped the professor's idea.
Figurative Usage
This meaning extends the idea of 'taking hold' to non-physical things, like taking hold of a disease or taking hold of an opportunity (catching a bus).
pescar
pes-CARpesˈkaɾ
Examples
Si sales sin chaqueta, vas a pescar un resfriado.
If you go out without a jacket, you are going to catch a cold.
Mi abuelo siempre va a pescar los domingos por la mañana.
My grandfather always goes fishing on Sunday mornings.
Logramos pescar un salmón enorme en el río.
We managed to catch a huge salmon in the river.
¿Sabes cómo pescar con mosca?
Do you know how to fish with a fly (fly-fishing)?
Spelling Change (Car -> Qué)
To keep the hard 'k' sound before 'e', the 'c' changes to 'qu' in the 'yo' form of the past (pesqué) and across all forms of the special verb moods (like the subjunctive: pesque, pesquemos).
Focus on the Result
This meaning often uses the past tenses (preterite or perfect) because catching a sickness is usually a completed action: 'Pesqué un resfriado' (I caught a cold).
Using the wrong preposition
Mistake: “Vamos a pescar en el río.”
Correction: Vamos a pescar al río. (Or just 'Vamos a pescar.') 'Ir a pescar' is treated as a single activity.
capturar
kap-too-RARkap.tuˈɾaɾ
Examples
La policía logró capturar al ladrón después de una persecución.
The police managed to capture the thief after a chase.
El equipo de científicos fue a la selva para capturar ranas raras.
The team of scientists went to the jungle to catch rare frogs.
Direct Object Placement
Like many Spanish verbs, you can attach the direct object pronoun (lo, la, los, las) directly to the end of 'capturar' when it's in the infinitive: 'Quieren capturarlo' (They want to capture him).
pillar
pee-YARpiˈʎaɾ
Examples
¡Corre, que no me pillas!
Run, you can't catch me!
Tengo que pillar el autobús de las ocho.
I have to catch the eight o'clock bus.
Pilla las llaves antes de salir.
Grab the keys before leaving.
Using 'Pillar' for Transport
In Spain, 'pillar' is often used instead of 'tomar' or 'coger' for catching a bus or train in casual speech.
Pillar vs. Coger
Mistake: “Using 'pillar' for making a phone call.”
Correction: Use 'coger el teléfono' (to answer) or 'llamar' (to call). 'Pillar' is for catching something moving or grabbing it.
tomar
toh-MAHRtoˈmaɾ
Examples
Tengo que tomar el autobús para ir al trabajo.
I have to take the bus to go to work.
Toma mi mano si tienes miedo.
Take my hand if you're scared.
Por favor, toma un folleto de la mesa.
Please, take a brochure from the table.
Tomó las llaves y salió de la casa.
He took the keys and left the house.
'Tomar' vs. 'Llevar'
Mistake: “Voy a tomarte al aeropuerto.”
Correction: Voy a llevarte al aeropuerto. Use 'llevar' when you mean 'to take' someone or something *to* a place. Use 'tomar' for grabbing or getting something.
sorprender
sor-pren-DERsoɾpɾenˈdeɾ
Examples
La policía sorprendió al ladrón dentro de la casa.
The police caught the thief inside the house.
Me sorprendieron comiendo chocolate a medianoche.
They caught me eating chocolate at midnight.
Si te sorprenden copiando, suspenderás el examen.
If they catch you cheating, you will fail the exam.
Action in Progress
When you catch someone 'doing' something, the second verb usually ends in -ando or -iendo. Example: 'Me sorprendieron bailando' (They caught me dancing).
Don't use 'atrapar' for secrets
Mistake: “La atraparon fumando.”
Correction: La sorprendieron fumando. 'Atrapar' is for physical capture like a chase; 'sorprender' is for discovering a secret or unexpected act.
cazar
kah-SAHRkaˈθaɾ
Examples
La policía logró cazar al ladrón después de tres días.
The police managed to catch the thief after three days.
No pude cazar la señal de radio en esta montaña.
I couldn't catch (pick up) the radio signal on this mountain.
¡Te cacé mirando mi teléfono!
I caught you looking at my phone!
Cazar vs. Atrapar
While both mean 'to catch,' 'cazar' often implies a process of pursuit or detection (like hunting), whereas 'atrapar' usually means physically grabbing or confining something.
contraer
kon-tra-EHRkon.tɾaˈeɾ
Examples
Él contrajo una enfermedad tropical durante el viaje.
He caught a tropical disease during the trip.
La empresa contrajo grandes deudas el año pasado.
The company incurred large debts last year.
Es peligroso contraer nuevas obligaciones sin capital.
It is dangerous to take on new obligations without capital.
Formal Acquire
While you can use 'tener' for a debt, 'contraer' is the professional way to say you've officially taken it on.
Not for 'Contracts'
Mistake: “Voy a contraer un contrato de trabajo.”
Correction: Voy a firmar un contrato. (Use 'firmar' for physical documents; 'contraer' is for the responsibility itself.)
collar
koh-YARkoˈʎaɾ
Examples
El guardia de seguridad intentó collar al joven que corría.
The security guard tried to collar (grab) the young man who was running.
Finalmente, la policía pudo collar a toda la banda.
Finally, the police were able to catch the entire gang.
Regular -AR Verb
'Collar' follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar. Once you know the pattern for 'hablar' or 'cantar', you know 'collar'!
Catching Illnesses: 'Agarrar' vs. 'Pescar'
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