Inklingo

How to Say "to take" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to take” is “tomar” — use 'tomar' for general actions of grabbing, getting, or picking up objects, as well as for catching transportation like buses or trains, and for abstract actions like making decisions or taking medicine..

tomar🔊A1

Use 'tomar' for general actions of grabbing, getting, or picking up objects, as well as for catching transportation like buses or trains, and for abstract actions like making decisions or taking medicine.

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coger🔊A1

Use 'coger' to physically pick up or grasp an object, or to catch transportation like a bus or train, especially in Spain.

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llevar🔊A1

Use 'llevar' when you are carrying or transporting something from one place to another, like carrying an item in a bag.

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servir🔊A2

Use the reflexive form 'servirse' when you are serving yourself a portion of food or drink.

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tomarse🔊A1

Use 'tomarse' when consuming food or drink, or when taking a break or a specific amount of time.

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agarrar🔊A2

Use 'agarrar' for the general physical action of grabbing or picking something up.

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dar🔊A2

Use 'dar' in idiomatic expressions like 'dar un paseo' (to take a walk) or 'dar una fiesta' (to throw/have a party).

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sacar🔊A2

Use 'sacar' specifically when taking a photograph or picture.

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aceptar🔊A1

Use 'aceptar' when the meaning is to accept something offered, like advice or help.

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seguir🔊B1

Use 'seguir' when the meaning is to follow instructions, a path, or a course of study.

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tirar🔊B1

Use 'tirar' in certain regions to mean taking a photograph, or in the context of shooting a weapon.

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English → Spanish

tomar

/toh-MAHR//toˈmaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'tomar' for general actions of grabbing, getting, or picking up objects, as well as for catching transportation like buses or trains, and for abstract actions like making decisions or taking medicine.
A hand reaching down and grasping a small set of silver keys lying on a neutral flat surface.

Examples

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.

Tengo que tomar el autobús para ir al trabajo.

I have to take the bus to go to work.

'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.

coger

/ko-kher//koˈxeɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'coger' to physically pick up or grasp an object, or to catch transportation like a bus or train, especially in Spain.
A simplified illustration of a hand picking up a bright red apple from a patch of green grass.

Examples

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.

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!

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'.

llevar

/yeh-VAR//ʝeˈβaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'llevar' when you are carrying or transporting something from one place to another, like carrying an item in a bag.
A person walking away while carrying a large, wrapped gift box in their arms, illustrating the action of transporting an object.

Examples

Siempre llevo un paraguas en mi mochila.

I always carry an umbrella in my backpack.

¿Puedes llevar estos platos a la cocina, por favor?

Can you take these plates to the kitchen, please?

El cartero lleva un paquete para ti.

The mailman is carrying a package for you.

Llevar vs. Traer: The Classic Mix-up

Llevar means to take something away from where you are, like taking a gift to a party. Traer means to bring something to where you are, like bringing a dish to your own home for dinner. Think: 'llevar leaves, traer comes here'.

Using 'Llevar' for 'To Bring'

Mistake: “Voy a llevar la pizza a tu casa. (Said while you are already at the friend's house)”

Correction: Voy a traer la pizza a tu casa. (If someone is bringing it to your current location). Use 'llevar' only when you are taking something somewhere else.

servir

ser-VEER/seɾˈβiɾ/

reflexive verbA2general
Use the reflexive form 'servirse' when you are serving yourself a portion of food or drink.
A hand using a silver spoon to scoop salad from a large bowl onto a plate.

Examples

Por favor, sírvete un poco más de ensalada.

Please, help yourself to a little more salad.

Me serví una porción grande de pastel.

I helped myself to a large slice of cake.

No esperen, pueden servirse cuando quieran.

Don't wait, you can help yourselves whenever you want.

The Reflexive Form

When you use 'servir' with the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se), it means the action is directed back at the person, resulting in the meaning 'to help oneself.'

Confusing Reflexive and Non-Reflexive

Mistake: “Me sirvo la comida. (If you mean 'I serve the food' to someone else.)”

Correction: Yo sirvo la comida. (If you are the waiter.) / Me sirvo la comida. (If you are taking food for yourself.)

tomarse

/toh-MAHR-seh//toˈmaɾse/

verbA1general
Use 'tomarse' when consuming food or drink, or when taking a break or a specific amount of time.
A person happily drinking a glass of water.

Examples

Me tomo un café todas las mañanas.

I drink a coffee every morning.

¿Te tomaste la pastilla?

Did you take your pill?

Necesito tomarme un descanso.

I need to take a break.

Se tomaron su tiempo para decidir.

They took their time to decide.

The 'Personal' Touch

Using 'me' or 'te' with 'tomar' (making it 'tomarse') often implies you are consuming the whole thing or doing it for your own enjoyment.

Spending Time

When you use 'tomarse' with time, it means you are allowing yourself a certain amount of time for a specific purpose.

Missing the pronoun

Mistake: “Tomo un café.”

Correction: Say 'Me tomo un café' when talking about a specific drink you are having right now.

agarrar

ah-gah-RRAHR/aɣaˈraɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'agarrar' for the general physical action of grabbing or picking something up.
A cartoon hand quickly grabbing a bright red apple off a table.

Examples

Agarré el paraguas antes de salir porque estaba lloviendo.

I grabbed the umbrella before leaving because it was raining.

Por favor, agarra mi mano, el suelo está resbaladizo.

Please, hold my hand, the floor is slippery.

Direct Action Verb

This verb is transitive, meaning the action always directly affects an object (what you grab or hold). Think: 'I grab [the thing].'

dar

/dar//'daɾ/

verbA2idiomatic
Use 'dar' in idiomatic expressions like 'dar un paseo' (to take a walk) or 'dar una fiesta' (to throw/have a party).
A smiling, simply drawn person taking a leisurely walk down a winding path in a sunny park.

Examples

Vamos a dar una fiesta el sábado.

We're going to throw a party on Saturday.

El profesor da clases de historia.

The professor gives/teaches history classes.

Me gusta dar un paseo por el parque por la tarde.

I like to take a walk in the park in the afternoon.

sacar

/sah-KAR//saˈkaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'sacar' specifically when taking a photograph or picture.
A cartoon person holding a smartphone and taking a picture of a vibrant orange and pink sunset over a landscape.

Examples

¿Puedes sacarnos una foto, por favor?

Can you take a photo of us, please?

Me encanta sacar fotos del atardecer.

I love to take pictures of the sunset.

aceptar

ah-sep-TAR/aθepˈtaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'aceptar' when the meaning is to accept something offered, like advice or help.
A storybook illustration showing a person smiling happily as they accept a brightly wrapped gift box from someone else's outstretched hand.

Examples

¿Aceptas mi ayuda con la mudanza?

Do you accept my help with the move?

Ella aceptó el trabajo inmediatamente.

She accepted the job immediately.

Nunca acepto tarjetas de crédito, solo efectivo.

I never accept credit cards, only cash.

Direct Action Verb

Aceptar is straightforward, it directly acts upon the thing being accepted. For instance, 'Yo acepto el dinero' (I accept the money).

Confusing 'Aceptar' and 'Estar de acuerdo'

Mistake: “Using 'aceptar' when agreeing with an opinion: 'Acepto con tu idea.'”

Correction: Use 'Estar de acuerdo': 'Estoy de acuerdo con tu idea.' (I agree with your idea). 'Aceptar' is usually for offers or things, not opinions.

seguir

/seh-GEER//seˈɣiɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'seguir' when the meaning is to follow instructions, a path, or a course of study.
A cartoon character carefully assembling a wooden birdhouse while looking at a simplified drawing of the assembly steps on a piece of paper.

Examples

Para montar el mueble, tienes que seguir las instrucciones.

To assemble the furniture, you have to follow the instructions.

Siempre sigo los consejos de mi madre.

I always follow my mother's advice.

Ella quiere seguir una carrera en medicina.

She wants to pursue a career in medicine.

tirar

/tee-RAHR//tiˈɾaɾ/

verbB1colloquial/specific
Use 'tirar' in certain regions to mean taking a photograph, or in the context of shooting a weapon.
A simple illustration of an arrow hitting the center bullseye of a circular target attached to a hay bale.

Examples

El cazador tuvo que tirar para defenderse.

The hunter had to shoot to defend himself.

¿Puedes tirarme una foto con mi teléfono?

Can you take a picture of me with my phone?

El ladrón tiró al aire para asustarlos.

The thief shot into the air to scare them.

Photo Usage

In many regions, 'tomar una foto' or 'sacar una foto' is more universally understood for taking pictures, but 'tirar una foto' is very common in places like Mexico and Central America.

General vs. Specific Actions

The most common confusion is between 'tomar' and 'coger'/'agarrar'. While 'tomar' is very general, 'coger' and 'agarrar' often imply a more direct physical grip. Remember that 'coger' has vulgar connotations in parts of Latin America, making 'tomar' and 'agarrar' safer choices there.

Related Translations

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