Inklingo

How to Say "to catch" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to catch” is “coger” — use 'coger' to refer to taking transportation like a bus or train, or to intercept something that is thrown to you..

coger🔊A1

Use 'coger' to refer to taking transportation like a bus or train, or to intercept something that is thrown to you.

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tomar🔊A1

Use 'tomar' when referring to taking transportation such as a bus or train, or less commonly, to catch a ball.

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pescar🔊A1

Use 'pescar' to specifically mean catching fish, or informally to catch an illness like a cold or flu.

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agarrar🔊B1

Use 'agarrar' to mean catching or getting an illness, or to physically grab or hold onto something.

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capturar🔊A2

Use 'capturar' when the act of catching involves apprehending a fugitive, an animal, or taking control of something.

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cazar🔊B1

Use 'cazar' primarily for hunting animals, but it can also be used figuratively to mean catching someone, like a criminal.

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collar🔊B2

Use 'collar' in a more colloquial or figurative sense to mean apprehending or seizing someone, often by security or authority figures.

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English → Spanish

coger

/ko-kher//koˈxeɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'coger' to refer to taking transportation like a bus or train, or to intercept something that is thrown to you.
A simplified illustration of a hand picking up a bright red apple from a patch of green grass.

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'.

tomar

/toh-MAHR//toˈmaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'tomar' when referring to taking transportation such as a bus or train, or less commonly, to catch a ball.
A hand reaching down and grasping a small set of silver keys lying on a neutral flat surface.

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.

pescar

pes-CAR/pesˈkaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'pescar' to specifically mean catching fish, or informally to catch an illness like a cold or flu.
A person sitting by a pond, holding a fishing rod, with a small fish hooked on the line, illustrating the act of fishing.

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.

agarrar

ah-gah-RRAHR/aɣaˈraɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'agarrar' to mean catching or getting an illness, or to physically grab or hold onto something.
A person's hand firmly gripping the metal handle rail of a yellow moving bus, showing they just managed to catch the transport.

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).

capturar

/kap-too-RAR//kap.tuˈɾaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'capturar' when the act of catching involves apprehending a fugitive, an animal, or taking control of something.
A person's hand holding a butterfly net that has successfully caught a brightly colored butterfly.

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).

cazar

/kah-SAHR//kaˈθaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'cazar' primarily for hunting animals, but it can also be used figuratively to mean catching someone, like a criminal.
A simple storybook illustration showing a large open hand successfully catching a fast-moving red ball mid-air against a bright blue background, symbolizing the act of catching.

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.

collar

/koh-YAR//koˈʎaɾ/

verbB2informal
Use 'collar' in a more colloquial or figurative sense to mean apprehending or seizing someone, often by security or authority figures.
A close-up view showing a hand firmly grabbing the fabric collar of a person's blue shirt.

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'!

Coger vs. Tomar for Transportation

Learners often confuse 'coger' and 'tomar' for catching transportation. While both are understood, 'coger' is more common in Spain for this context, whereas 'tomar' is widely used in Latin America. Be aware that 'coger' has vulgar connotations in some Latin American countries, making 'tomar' a safer choice there.

Related Translations

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