The verb "recoger" means to pick up, gather, collect, or retrieve something. It is used in various contexts, such as picking up objects, collecting items, or gathering people. It is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, with a greater frequency in everyday conversations, instructions, and reports.
Necesito recoger mi ropa del suelo.
(I need to pick up my clothes from the floor.)
El agricultor tiene que recoger la cosecha antes de que llegue la lluvia.
(The farmer has to gather the harvest before the rain arrives.)
Voy a recoger a mis amigos en la estación de tren.
(I am going to pick up my friends at the train station.)
"Recoger" is featured in several idiomatic expressions in Spanish:
El nuevo director tuvo que recoger el testigo de su predecesor.
(The new director had to take over from his predecessor.)
Recoger frutos
(To reap the fruits of one's labor, to see results.)
Después de muchos años de trabajo duro, finalmente está recogiendo frutos.
(After many years of hard work, he is finally reaping the fruits of his labor.)
Recoger las piezas
(To pick up the pieces, to deal with the aftermath of a situation.)
Después del escándalo, ella tuvo que recoger las piezas de su vida.
(After the scandal, she had to pick up the pieces of her life.)
Recoger algo en el aire
(To catch something in the air, to understand or perceive something.)
The word "recoger" comes from the Latin "recolligere," where "re-" means "again" and "colligere" means "to gather." This formation reflects the action of gathering something again or afresh.
Synonyms: - Coleccionar (to collect) - Agrupar (to group) - Juntar (to gather)
Antonyms: - Dispersar (to disperse) - Descartar (to discard) - Dejar (to leave)