Coger Meaning: What Does It Mean?

If you’re currently learning Spanish, you may have encountered the word “coger” and found yourself wondering what it means. Despite its common usage in some Spanish-speaking countries, “coger” can be a tricky word to understand for non-native speakers. In this article, we will explore the origins of “coger,” its various meanings, and how it is used in different contexts.

Coger Meaning – Created by Englishstudyonline

Table of Contents

Coger Meaning

What Does Coger Mean?

If you are learning Spanish, you may have come across the verb “coger.” While it is a common verb in Spanish, it is important to understand its various meanings and contexts, especially if you plan on using it in conversation.

In its most basic sense, “coger” means “to take” or “to grab.” For example, you could use it to ask for permission to take another cookie: “¿Puedo coger otra galleta?” You could also use it to describe someone grabbing a ball that went off the field: “Cogió la pelota que salió fuera de la cancha.”

However, it is important to note that “coger” is also a slang term in some Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, where it can be used to mean “to have sex.” If you are unsure about the context in which “coger” is being used, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it altogether.

In some contexts, “coger” can also be used to mean “to pick up” or “to get.” For example, you could use it to ask someone to get the telephone that is ringing in the living room: “¿Puedes coger el teléfono que está sonando en la sala?” However, again, it is important to be aware of the potential slang connotations of the word.

Origin of Coger

The origins of this colloquial usage of coger are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have evolved from the Latin word “coactare,” which means “to constrain or force.”

In addition, the word coger has a long history in the Spanish language. It can be traced back to the Vulgar Latin word “cogere,” which means “to collect or gather.” Over time, the word evolved to mean “to take hold of or seize” and eventually came to mean “to grab, take, or pick up” in modern Spanish.

Interestingly, the slang usage of coger is not universal throughout the Spanish-speaking world. In Spain, for example, the word is considered vulgar and offensive, and is rarely used in everyday conversation. In Latin America, however, it is much more commonly used, particularly in informal settings.

Who Uses Coger?

Spain: In Spain, “coger” is a standard, everyday verb that means “to take” or “to grab,” and it is used frequently in a variety of contexts without any vulgar connotations. For example, “coger el autobús” (to catch the bus) or “coger un objeto” (to pick up an object).

Latin America: The usage of “coger” varies greatly across Latin American countries:

Mexico and some Central American countries: Here, “coger” is often avoided in polite conversation because it carries a strong sexual connotation, meaning “to have sex.” Instead, alternatives like “tomar” (to take) are used.
Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay: In these countries, “coger” is commonly used both in its non-vulgar sense (“to take”) and with sexual connotations, depending on the context.

Educational Contexts: Teachers and students of Spanish, especially those in non-native environments, are taught the standard uses of “coger” but are also warned about its regional variations to avoid misunderstandings or offense.

Travelers and Expats: English speakers learning Spanish might use “coger” when referring to picking up or grabbing something, especially if they learned Spanish in or are traveling in Spain. However, they may need to adjust their vocabulary in regions where “coger” is considered vulgar.

Coger Examples

1. Example Conversations

Conversation in Spain (Standard Usage):

Person A: “¿Vas a coger el tren de las cinco?”
Person B: “Sí, si no lo cogo, llegaré muy tarde a casa.”

Conversation in Mexico (Sensitive Usage):

Person A: “¿Puedes tomar la pelota de allá? (deliberately avoiding ‘coger’)”
Person B: “Claro, no uses ‘coger‘ aquí; tiene otro significado.”

Educational Setting (Learning Context):

Teacher: “En España, ‘coger‘ simplemente significa tomar algo, pero en algunos países latinoamericanos puede ser vulgar.”
Student: “Entendido, usaré ‘tomar‘ cuando hable con amigos de México.”

Text Message Exchange (Using in Spain):

Text from Person A: “¿Puedes coger los documentos de mi escritorio antes de salir?”
Text from Person B: “Sí, los cogeré en un minuto.”

2. Example Sentences for Texting and Social Media Posts

Texting in Spain: “Mañana tengo que coger el primer vuelo a Barcelona.”
Social Media Post (Traveler in Argentina): “Aprendiendo a usar el verbo ‘coger‘ correctamente en Buenos Aires. ¡Aquí es seguro usarlo!”
Comment on a Forum: “Recuerda que ‘coger’ no siempre es apropiado en todos los países hispanohablantes.”
Instagram Caption (Posted in Spain): “Listo para coger olas en la Costa del Sol. 🌊🏄‍♂️”

Related Terms to Coger

Here are some related terms to “coger” that can help expand understanding of its usage and alternatives within the Spanish language, reflecting both standard uses and regional variations:

Tomar: Often used as a synonym for “coger” in regions where “coger” has vulgar connotations. It means “to take” or “to grab.”
Agarrar: Another alternative to “coger,” used to mean “to grab” or “to catch,” commonly used across Latin America.
Capturar: Translates as “to capture,” but can be used in contexts similar to “coger,” such as catching a bus or grabbing an opportunity.
Recoger: Means “to pick up” or “to collect,” used for picking up objects or people.
Sujetar: Means “to hold” or “to grip,” useful for describing holding something firmly.
Atrapar: Means “to trap” or “to catch,” often used in the context of catching animals or objects in motion.
Levantar: Translates to “to lift” or “to raise,” but can be contextually similar to “coger” when referring to picking something up off the ground.
Asir: A more formal or literary term for “to grasp” or “to seize.”
Manipular: Means “to handle” or “to manipulate,” applicable in contexts involving manual or physical manipulation of objects.
Emplear: Often translates as “to employ” or “to use,” but in some contexts, it can overlap with “coger” when referring to taking up tools or instruments for use.