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How to Say "to hang" in Spanish

English → Spanish

colgar

/kohl-GAHR//kolˈɡaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'colgar' when you are suspending an object from a higher point, like hanging clothes on a rack or a picture on a wall.
A bright red coat is suspended from a hook on a coat rack.

Examples

Por favor, cuelga tu abrigo en el perchero.

Please hang your coat on the coat rack.

Vamos a colgar luces de Navidad en el balcón.

We are going to hang Christmas lights on the balcony.

The O to UE Change

In the present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' whenever the stress falls on the root of the word (yo, tú, él/ella, ellos/ellas). Remember: 'Nosotros' and 'vosotros' keep the original 'o'.

Spelling Change in the Past

In the 'yo' form of the preterite (simple past), 'colgar' changes to 'colgué' (adding a 'u') to make sure the 'g' keeps its hard sound, like in 'gato'.

colocar

/koh-loh-KAR//koloˈkaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'colocar' when you are placing or positioning an item in a specific spot, which can sometimes include hanging something like a picture, but it's broader than just suspending.
A human hand carefully placing a small, colorful red wooden block onto a smooth wooden shelf.

Examples

Por favor, coloca los libros en el estante superior.

Please place the books on the top shelf.

El técnico colocó la antena nueva en el techo.

The technician put the new antenna on the roof.

Spelling Change Rule (CAR verbs)

To keep the hard 'K' sound of the 'c' before the vowel 'e' (as in the preterite 'yo' form or the subjunctive), the 'c' must change to 'qu'. You say coloqué, not coloce.

Confusing Poner and Colocar

Mistake: “Using 'Poner' when a more precise arrangement is needed.”

Correction: 'Colocar' suggests careful, specific placement or arrangement, whereas 'poner' is a more general 'to put'.

Colgar vs. Colocar

Learners often confuse 'colgar' and 'colocar' because both can involve putting something somewhere. Remember that 'colgar' is specifically about suspending an item, while 'colocar' is a more general term for placing or positioning.

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