Want to master “Coger” conjugations fast?
This short audio loop makes it easy to memorize the forms for the Preterite (Past) Tense — just press play.
🔊 Audio plays automatically on a loop – makes memorization easy. While the audio plays, follow the chart below to reinforce what you hear.
Conjugation Chart
“Coger” (to take/catch) in the Preterite (Past) Tense
Pronoun | Conjugation |
---|---|
Yo | cogí |
Tú | cogiste |
Él / Ella / Usted | cogió |
Nosotros / Nosotras | cogimos |
Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes | cogieron |
Learn Faster with Loop-Based Learning
- 🧠 Activates natural language processing in the brain
- 🔄 Makes conjugations feel automatic
- 📝 Reduces mental effort compared to rote memorization
- 💡 Builds fluency through repetition
Unlike traditional methods that rely on memorizing rules and grammar drills, our approach mimics how native speakers naturally acquire language—by hearing patterns repeatedly in context. This activates your brain’s phonological loop, making verb forms feel familiar and automatic.
To learn more about the science behind this technique, read our detailed article: The Neuroscience of Language Learning: How Listening on a Loop Strengthens Your Fluency
Understanding the Preterite (Past) Tense of “Coger”
The preterite of coger is used to express a completed action of taking or catching something in the past. For example, you might say “I took the bus to work this morning,” indicating a specific instance of using transportation.
This is a regular -er verb that follows the standard preterite conjugation pattern. The conjugations are straightforward and predictable, making it easy to use in conversation.
How to Use Coger in the Preterite (Past) Tense
The preterite of coger expresses a completed action of taking or catching in the past.
To take/catch: Describes grabbing or catching something, for example Cogí el autobús a tiempo (I caught the bus on time) or Cogió las llaves de la mesa (He/she took the keys from the table).
To pick up: Used for collecting or picking something up, for example Cogí el paquete de la oficina de correos (I picked up the package from the post office).
Real Life Examples of Coger in the Preterite (Past) Tense
Cogí el autobús a tiempo. (I caught the bus on time.)
Cogió las llaves de la mesa. (He took the keys from the table.)
¿Cogiste todos tus documentos? (Did you take all your documents?)
Cogimos un taxi al aeropuerto. (We took a taxi to the airport.)
Los estudiantes cogieron apuntes durante la clase. (The students took notes during class.)
Cogí un resfriado la semana pasada. (I caught a cold last week.)
El gato cogió al ratón. (The cat caught the mouse.)
Cogimos el último tren de la noche. (We caught the last train of the night.)
¿Por qué no cogiste mi llamada? (Why didn’t you take my call?)
Los niños cogieron flores en el campo. (The children picked flowers in the field.)
Cogí el paquete de la oficina de correos. (I picked up the package from the post office.)
Mi hermana cogió el trabajo en la ciudad. (My sister took the job in the city.)
Cogimos muchas fotos durante el viaje. (We took many photos during the trip.)
El equipo cogió impulso en el segundo tiempo. (The team gained momentum in the second half.)
Los turistas cogieron el teleférico a la montaña. (The tourists took the cable car to the mountain.)
Conjugation Chart with English Translations
Conjugations of Coger (to take/catch) in the Preterite (Past) Tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:
Spanish | English |
---|---|
Yo cogí | I took |
Tú cogiste | You took |
Él / Ella / Usted cogió | He / She / You took |
Nosotros / Nosotras cogimos | We took |
Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes cogieron | They / You all took |
This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here
Synonyms
The Preterite tense is also known as the Simple Past, Past Simple, Definite Past, Absolute Past, or Past Tense Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Perfecto Simple, Pretérito Indefinido, Pretérito Simple, Pasado Simple, or Pretérito de Indicativo in Spanish.