Inklingo

How to Say "to put" in Spanish

English → Spanish

poner

/po-ner//poˈneɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'poner' when you are simply placing an object on a surface or in a general location, like setting down keys on a table.
A person's hand placing a small bundle of silver keys onto the surface of a simple wooden table.

Examples

Pongo las llaves en la mesa.

I put the keys on the table.

¿Dónde pongo tu abrigo?

Where do I put your coat?

Vamos a poner la mesa para la cena.

Let's set the table for dinner.

Irregular 'yo' form: 'pongo'

In the present tense, the 'yo' (I) form is special: 'pongo'. This '-go' ending also appears in other important verbs like 'hago' (I do) and 'salgo' (I leave).

Irregular Past Tense

The simple past tense (preterite) changes a lot. The stem becomes 'pus-'. For example: 'Yo puse' (I put), 'Él puso' (He put).

Forgetting the Irregular Past Tense

Mistake: “Yo poní el libro en la mesa.”

Correction: The correct form is 'Yo puse el libro en la mesa.' The past tense of 'poner' is highly irregular and needs to be memorized.

meter

/meh-TEHR//meˈteɾ/

verbA1general
Choose 'meter' when the action specifically involves putting something *inside* another object, like inserting a key into a lock.
A cartoon hand gently placing a brightly colored toy block completely inside an open wooden box.

Examples

Mete la llave en la cerradura antes de girarla.

Put the key in the lock before turning it.

Siempre meto mis libros en la mochila cuando termino la clase.

I always put my books in my backpack when I finish class.

El técnico tuvo que meter un cable nuevo por la pared.

The technician had to run a new cable through the wall.

Direct Object Needed

When using 'meter' in this physical sense, you must say what you are putting inside (the direct object): 'Meto el dinero' (I put the money).

Confusing 'Poner' and 'Meter'

Mistake: “Pongo la ropa en el armario (when you mean inside the closed space).”

Correction: Meto la ropa en el armario. ('Meter' is better when the action involves fully containing something, like putting clothes inside a closet or a book inside a bag. 'Poner' is more general 'to place on top of' or 'to set down').

colocar

/koh-loh-KAR//koloˈkaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'colocar' when you are carefully arranging or positioning an object in a specific spot, often implying a deliberate or neat placement.
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'.

Poner vs. Meter vs. Colocar

The most common mistake is using 'poner' when the action is specifically about putting something inside another object. Remember, 'meter' is for insertion, while 'poner' is for general placement and 'colocar' for careful arrangement.

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