Let’s face it, Spanish can be a tricky language as there are many differences between tenses like ser vs estar, por vs. para, imperfect vs. preterite and more. Another tricky, yet useful feature of this great language is that you can say the same concept in many different ways. So useful!
Knowing how to say to take in Spanish will help you understand many verbs. It will also introduce you to important verbs that are considered power verbs, or makeup 80% of spoken Spanish.
Tomar
Tomar is a commonly used verb and is one of the best ways to learn how to say to take in Spanish. This verb is commonly used when drinking and eating. You might have learned that beber is the common way to say to drink. In fact, the word drink or bebida is derived from beber.
Yet, most native speakers say tomar when drinking or eating food. You can also use tomar when taking medication. For example, toma tres pastillas con agua cuando despiertes cada dia, means take three pills with water when you awake.
You can also use this verb to say to take a taxi or tomar un taxi. Another meaning is tomar un descanso or take a break, which can be needed when studying Spanish for long periods of time!
Llevar
Llevar is a commonly used verb that has many different means. For instance, llevar can mean to wear, carry, bring, take out, or it has been.
If you want to go to the beach, say llevame a la playa or take me to the beach. A general way to distinguish between tomar and llevar means that llevar is to take away. Think of llevar as taking away with tomar meaning to consume.
Some other meanings of llevar include:
- Yo llevo una camisa roja – I wear a red shirt
- Llevo tres meses en Colombia – I have been in Colombia for three months
- Quiero hamburguesas para llevar – I want take out sandwiches
- Esta hamburguesa lleva tomates y carne – This burger has tomatoes and meat
Coger
Coger is a controversial verb when learning how to say to take it Spanish. It means to take, but it has extreme meanings in Spain vs. Latin America. In Spain, it’s common to say coger when getting a taxi, bus, or metro. Spaniards also say coger when receiving a certain condition. So, no coges el frio is don’t catch a cold.
Conversely, coger means to take but withsexual innuendo in countries like Mexico. So, coger in Mexico means to fu*k and is quite vulgar. In other places, like Panama, coger means to grab. So, coge la soga, is grab the rope!
I used to teach surfing and worked with different types of foreign exchange students from Spain, Mexico, and everywhere in between. I told the Spanish students to coge la ola or take the wave. When working with my Mexican and Central American students, monta/toma la ola or ride/take the wave would be more appropriate.
Coger can also be used to take or remove something. So, me gusta coger fruta de las plantas is I like to pick fruit from the plants. Coger can also mean to hold like Déjeme que le coja la camiseta or let me take the t-shirt.
Acoger is a related verb, that means to take in. So, A Maria acoge de mi hermano borracho, Jorge, el viernes pasado or Maria provided shelter for my drunk brother, Jorge, last Friday.
How to say to take in Spanish (bathing)
There are two distinct ways to say to take a bath or shower. Bañarse is a common verb that means to bathe. It’s related to common words like baño (bathroom) and bañera or bathub.
La ducha means the shower and voy a ducharme means I’m taking a shower. Both of these ways are useful when bathing or taking a shower.
Cuidar
Cuidar is a unique work as it means to take, but with caution. So, cuidado, derives from cuidar and means watch out. Cuidar generally means take care of something.
A few examples
- Cuidate – take care, used when saying goodbye
- Mi hermana cuida la casa – my sister takes care of the house
- Yo cuido de mi abuelo enfermo – I take care of my sick dad
- Cuidar de jovenes– take care of young ones
Wrap Up
Spanish can be a tough language with its unique quirks and conjugation patterns. Trying to get the same point across with different verbs can be even tougher. Despite this, knowing power verbs that compose most of the spoken Spanish will get you ahead of the game.
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