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How to Say "to hang" in Spanish

English → Spanish

colgar

kohl-GAHRkolˈɡaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'colgar' when you are suspending an object from a higher point, like hanging clothes or a picture frame.
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-KARkoloˈkaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'colocar' when you mean to place or position something, especially items like pictures, books, or furniture, in a specific spot.
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'.

ahorcar

ah-or-KARaoɾˈkaɾ

verbB2formal
Use 'ahorcar' exclusively for the act of hanging someone as a method of execution or suicide.
A simple wooden gallows with a rope loop on a grassy hill under a blue sky.

Examples

En la antigüedad, solían ahorcar a los piratas en el puerto.

In ancient times, they used to hang pirates in the harbor.

El hombre intentó ahorcarse, pero la cuerda se rompió.

The man tried to hang himself, but the rope broke.

Fue condenado a morir ahorcado por sus crímenes.

He was sentenced to die by hanging for his crimes.

The 'C' to 'QU' Switch

When you use the 'yo' form in the past (preterite) or the special 'wishes' forms (subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu' so it keeps the hard 'K' sound: 'ahorqué' (I hanged) instead of 'ahorcé'.

Doing it to yourself

To say someone hung themselves, you must add 'se' (ahorcarse). Without 'se', the word needs someone else to receive the action.

Spelling 'ahorqué' incorrectly

Mistake: “Yo ahorcé al criminal.”

Correction: Yo ahorqué al criminal. (You need the 'qu' to keep the 'K' sound; 'ce' sounds like 'S' in Spanish).

Confusing 'colgar' and 'colocar'

The most frequent error is using 'colgar' when you mean to 'place' or 'set' something, like a picture on a wall. Remember, 'colgar' implies suspension, while 'colocar' means to position or put something in its spot.

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