PONER: useful phrases and expressions
Poner". It often means "put" (to place in a position) but it is also used in may different expressions and in many ways which do not exist in English. It is very common and is a highly irregular verb so it is a good idea to learn the conjugation. The list of examples below contains the most common ways that we can use can use "poner" We have put the full conjugation of "poner" on a web page click here to see it.
Spanish |
English |
| ¿qué le pongo? | What would you like? (in a bar or restaurant) |
| una guía para ponerse al día en lo último de la informática. | A guide for getting up to date on the latest in information technology. |
| ponerse de rodillas | kneel, get on ones knees. |
| ponerse de punta en blanco | to get all dolled up |
| tiene que ponerse a régimen | he has to go on a diet |
| el semáforo se puso amarillo | the traffic light went amber |
| se puso a llover | it started to rain |
| no te pongas así | don't get like that (probably when someone gets angry or offended) |
| le pusimos Antonio | we christened him Antonio |
| las arañas me ponen los pelos de punta | spiders make my hair stand on end |
| ¿qué ponen en el tele esta noche? | What's on TV tonight? |
| ¿lo ponemos a votación? | Shall we vote on it. |
| no nos ponemos de acuerdo en nada | we can't come to an agreement about anything |
| se han puesto de acuerdo | they have come to an agreement |
| tener/llevar puesto | to wear (clothes) |
| Lleva puesto un sombrero blanco y tiene bigote | he is wearing a white hat and he has a moustache |
| No llevó puesto su cinturón de seguridad | He wasn't wearing his safety belt |
| sólo me lo pongo para las grandes ocasiones | I only wear it on special occasions |
| ¿te importa si pongo la televisión? | Do you mind if I switch the TV on? |
| no pongo en duda su honestad | I'm not doubting his honesty |
| antes de un examen me pongo nerviosísima | I get really nervous before an exam |
| suéltame o me pongo a gritar | Let me go or I'll scream |
| me pongo furioso de sólo pensarlo | It makes me angry just thinking about it |
| poner buena cara a (algo) | to take something well |
| Juan parece ponerle buena cara a las dificultades por las que esta pasando. | Juan seems to be taking the problems he having well. |
| poner por las nubes | to praise to the skies |
| La crítica pone por las nubes a Harry Potter | The critic praises Harry Potter to the skies |
| poner una denuncia | to make a formal complaint |
| poner fin al alto del fuego | to put and end to the ceasefire |
| poner un anuncio en el periodico | to put an advert in the newspaper |
| poner la mesa | lay the table |
| Poner en marcha | to start, get going |
| su coche se negó a ponerse en marcha | his car wouldn't start |
| de lava y pon, de lavar y poner | drip dry (clothes) |
| las cosas se están poniendo serias | things are getting serious |
| Cómo ponerse en contacto con nosotros | how to get in contact with us |
| le pusieron una multa por exceso de velocidad | he was fined for speeding |
| lo pusiste en un aprieto | you put him in a difficult position |
| pon que es cierto ¿qué harías entonces? | supposing it is true. What would you do? |