colocáis

Colocáis is the second-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb colocar. It is used with the vosotros form, primarily in Spain, to mean “you all place” or “you all put.” The verb has a broad range of senses, including literal placement of objects, positioning, or installation, as well as figurative uses such as placing someone in a job or setting up a scenario.

Etymology and senses: colocar comes from the Latin collocare (from co- + locare), ultimately related to locus, meaning place. In addition to physical placement (colocar los libros en la estantería), it can mean to arrange, to set up, to install, or to appoint someone to a role. In some contexts colloquial or figurative meanings can appear, such as “colocar a alguien en un puesto” (to place someone in a position) or “colocar un anuncio” (to place or post an advertisement).

Conjugation notes: the present indicative forms for colocar are: yo coloco, tú colocas, él/ella/Ud coloca, nosotros colocamos, vosotros colocáis, ellos colocan. In most of the Spanish-speaking world, including Latin America, the corresponding present form after ustedes is colocan, since the vosotros form is not used there. The vosotros/colocáis form is characteristic of Spain and regions where vos is used.

Examples: “Colocáis las sillas alrededor de la mesa.” “Antes de empezar, colocáis las plantas en la terraza.”

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