Inklingo

How to Say "to collect" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to collect” is “juntar” — use 'juntar' when you need to bring things together or gather them physically, often to form a single unit or group.

English → Spanish

juntar

hoon-TARxunˈtaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'juntar' when you need to bring things together or gather them physically, often to form a single unit or group.
Two wooden puzzle pieces being pushed together to fit perfectly.

Examples

Tienes que juntar las dos piezas para arreglarlo.

You have to join the two pieces to fix it.

Por favor, junta tus juguetes antes de dormir.

Please, put your toys together before going to sleep.

Juntamos todas las sillas en el centro de la sala.

We gathered all the chairs in the center of the room.

Using 'juntar' with objects

Use this word when you are physically moving objects into the same place or making them touch.

Juntar vs. Unir

Mistake: “Using 'unir' for picking up toys.”

Correction: Use 'juntar' for gathering items; 'unir' often implies a permanent bond or a deeper connection, like 'unir fuerzas' (joining forces).

recaudar

rreh-kow-darrekauˈðar

verbB1formal
Use 'recaudar' specifically when collecting money for a cause, such as taxes, donations, or fees.
A colorful ceramic piggy bank being filled with coins by diverse hands.

Examples

Queremos recaudar dinero para el refugio de animales.

We want to raise money for the animal shelter.

El gobierno recauda impuestos cada mes.

The government collects taxes every month.

Han logrado recaudar más de un millón de euros.

They have managed to raise more than a million euros.

Using the word directly

You don't need a word like 'for' between the verb and the money. You simply 'recaudar dinero' (raise money).

It's all about the money

Unlike the English word 'collect,' Spanish 'recaudar' is almost exclusively used for money, taxes, or donations, not hobbies or physical objects.

Don't use it for hobbies

Mistake: “Recaudo sellos en mi tiempo libre.”

Correction: Colecciono sellos en mi tiempo libre. Use 'coleccionar' for hobbies and 'recaudar' for gathering money.

recolectar

rre-ko-lek-TARrekolekˈtaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'recolectar' when gathering items, data, or signatures, often for a specific purpose or project.
A person walking along a beach picking up colorful seashells and putting them into a small bucket.

Examples

La organización recolectó fondos para las víctimas del terremoto.

The organization collected funds for the earthquake victims.

Estamos recolectando firmas para salvar el parque.

We are collecting signatures to save the park.

El software recolecta información sobre el tráfico.

The software gathers information about traffic.

Systematic Gathering

This verb implies a process. You aren't just finding something; you are actively seeking and accumulating it.

Confusing 'recaudar' and 'recolectar'

Mistake: “El gobierno va a recolectar impuestos.”

Correction: El gobierno va a recaudar impuestos. Use 'recaudar' specifically for official tax collection or formal fundraising.

reunir

rreh-oo-NEERre.uˈniɾ

verbB1general
Use 'reunir' when bringing people or items together into one place or group, implying assembly.
A happy child kneeling down, gathering several brightly colored wooden blocks and putting them into a single open basket.

Examples

El director reunió a todos los empleados en la sala de conferencias.

The director gathered all the employees in the conference room.

Necesito reunir más información antes de tomar una decisión.

I need to collect more information before making a decision.

The Accent Mark Irregularity

In the present tense, you must place an accent mark over the 'u' (reúno, reúnes, etc.). This breaks the 'u' and 'i' apart, making two distinct syllables instead of one blended sound.

Missing the Accent

Mistake: “Yo reuno”

Correction: Yo reúno. If you omit the accent, it changes the stress and sounds unnatural.

coleccionar

koh-lehk-syoh-nahrkoleksjoˈnaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'coleccionar' when gathering items over time as a hobby or for a specific collection, like stamps or art.
A child sitting on a rug, carefully arranging a large collection of colorful seashells into organized rows.

Examples

Yo colecciono sellos desde que era niño.

I have been collecting stamps since I was a child.

Mi hermano quiere coleccionar todas las cartas de Pokémon.

My brother wants to collect all the Pokémon cards.

Ella colecciona obras de arte de pintores locales.

She collects works of art by local painters.

It's a regular 'ar' verb

Good news! This verb follows the standard patterns for 'ar' verbs. Once you learn the pattern for 'hablar,' you can conjugate 'coleccionar' the exact same way.

Using it with hobbies

In Spanish, we usually include the article (like 'el', 'la', 'los', 'las') when talking about the items you collect. For example: 'Colecciono las monedas' (I collect the coins).

Coleccionar vs. Recoger

Mistake: “Voy a coleccionar a mi hijo de la escuela.”

Correction: Voy a recoger a mi hijo de la escuela. Use 'coleccionar' for hobbies/sets, and 'recoger' for picking someone or something up.

percibir

per-see-BEERpeɾθiˈβiɾ

verbC1formal
Use 'percibir' when receiving or collecting a payment, salary, or income.
A pair of hands holding a stack of gold coins.

Examples

Él percibe un sueldo muy alto.

He receives a very high salary.

Los jubilados perciben su pensión cada mes.

Retirees collect their pension every month.

Formal Earnings

In casual conversation, use 'ganar' or 'cobrar' for money. Use 'percibir' when writing a contract or a formal report.

Collecting Money vs. Items

Learners often confuse 'recaudar' and 'recolectar' with verbs for gathering physical items. Remember that 'recaudar' is almost exclusively for money or funds, while 'recolectar' can be for items, data, or signatures but often implies a more systematic gathering for a purpose.

Related Translations

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