To have sexual intercourse, a vulgar sense in much of the Americas and a major regional trap for the neutral Spanish uses.
Examples
En esa novela, los protagonistas cogen después de reconciliarse.
In that novel, the main characters have sex after making up.
El personaje dice que quiere coger, y la frase suena vulgar.
The character says he wants to have sex, and the sentence sounds vulgar.
En México, coger no suele servir para hablar de tomar un autobús.
In Mexico, coger is not usually used for taking a bus.
La canción usa coger con sentido sexual.
The song uses coger in a sexual sense.
En Argentina, coger suele entenderse como un verbo sexual.
In Argentina, coger is usually understood as a sexual verb.
La traducción evita coger porque allí suena grosero.
The translation avoids coger because it sounds crude there.
El chiste juega con el doble sentido de coger.
The joke plays on the double meaning of coger.
Similar words
follar
joder
tirar
copular
tener sexo
acostarse
Etymology
From Latin colligĕre, meaning to gather or collect, with later Spanish uses widening from collecting and taking hold to catching, fitting, and regional slang.
FAQ
What does coger mean?
coger means to take, grab, catch, absorb, fit, or be located, and in much of Latin America it can mean to have sex in a vulgar way.
Is coger vulgar everywhere?
No. coger is neutral and common in Spain, while in much of Latin America it often sounds vulgar because of the sexual sense.
How is coger used for transport?
In Spain, voy a coger el tren means “I am going to take the train.” In many American varieties, tomar is safer.
Why is cojo spelled with j?
coger keeps the soft Spanish g sound by changing g to j before o and a, as in cojo and coja.
Can coger mean to understand?
Yes. No cogí el chiste means “I did not get the joke,” a figurative extension of taking something in.
What is the difference between coger and tomar?
tomar is safer across regions for taking transport or choosing something, while coger is ordinary in Spain but risky in many American contexts.
Can coger mean to fit?
Yes. No coge en el armario means “it does not fit in the wardrobe,” an informal but common use.
Where does coger come from?
coger comes from Latin colligĕre, “to gather or collect,” which explains the older idea of gathering and taking hold.
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