colocar

Colocar is a high‑frequency verb in both Spanish and Portuguese with core meanings centered on putting, placing, or setting something in a specific position. It covers literal actions of positioning objects as well as broader notions such as arranging elements, organizing spaces, or deploying resources. In both languages, colocar is versatile and appears in numerous idiomatic and figurative expressions.

Etymology and cognates: Colocar derives from Latin collocare or colocare, formed from roots meaning to place together. The Spanish form colocar and the Portuguese form colocar share this origin, leading to similar meanings across the two languages, though usage and preferred contexts vary regionally.

Usage and grammar: Colocar is primarily transitive and typically requires a direct object and a locational phrase: colocar un libro en la mesa (Spanish) / colocar o livro na mesa (Portuguese). It can also occur reflexively as colocarse/colocar-se to indicate positioning oneself physically or socially: me coloco en la fila / eu me coloco na fila. The passive or resultative sense is common as ser/estar colocado(a) in a job or position: la empresa me colocó en un nuevo puesto / a empresa me colocou em um novo cargo.

Idioms and nuances: Colocar also appears in phrases such as colocar en práctica (to put into practice) or colocar a alguien en un cargo (to place someone in a position). In Portuguese, poredirectly used for setting a table or placing items, while colocar can be more formal or emphasize deliberate arrangement; everyday tasks may use pôr in some dialects.

Noun form and related terms: Colocación (Spanish) and colocação (Portuguese) refer to placement, arrangement, or the act of placing. The participle colocado/colocado(a) denotes something that has been placed or positioned.

Examples: Colocar el libro sobre la mesa. Coloque o livro na mesa. Ella fue colocada en un nuevo puesto. Ela foi colocada em um novo cargo. Colocarse en la fila. Colocar-se na fila.