Common Spanish Collocations gives you a practical set of Spanish words and expressions in one place, so you can study useful vocabulary without digging through scattered sources.
Each row is designed for quick review with meaning, example usage, and any available pronunciation help. When you want an offline copy, use the free Download PDF button below the table.
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Quick Quiz
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| Collocation | Type | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| abrir la caja | verb + noun | to open the box | Por favor, abre la caja con cuidado. | Please open the box carefully. |
| abrir la puerta | verb + noun | to open the door | ¿Puedes abrir la puerta, por favor? | Can you open the door, please? |
| abrir la ventana | verb + noun | to open the window | Abre la ventana, por favor. | Open the window, please. |
| apagar la luz | verb + noun | to turn off the light | Apaga la luz antes de salir del cuarto. | Turn off the light before leaving the room. |
| beber agua | verb phrase | to drink water | Después de correr, bebo agua. | After running, I drink water. |
| caer bien | idiomatic | to be likable | Me cae muy bien. | I like him very much. |
| caer mal | idiomatic | to be unlikable | Me cae mal ese plan. | I don’t like that plan. |
| cambiar de opinión | verb + preposition + noun | to change one's mind | De repente, cambió de opinión y decidió no ir. | Suddenly, he changed his mind and decided not to go. |
| cerrar la puerta | verb + noun | to close the door | Cierra la puerta al salir. | Close the door when you leave. |
| cerrar la ventana | verb + noun | to close the window | Hace frío, así que voy a cerrar la ventana. | It’s cold, so I’m going to close the window. |
| cerrar los ojos | verb + noun | to close your eyes | Cierra los ojos y descansa un momento. | Close your eyes and rest for a moment. |
| comprar comida | verb phrase | to buy food | Voy a comprar comida en el mercado. | I am going to buy food at the market. |
| cumplir años | verb + noun | to have a birthday, to turn (an age) | Mañana cumplo veinte años. | Tomorrow I turn twenty. |
| dar las gracias | verb + noun | to say thank you | Siempre doy las gracias al final. | I always say thank you at the end. |
| dar miedo | verb + noun | to be scary | Esa película da miedo. | That movie is scary. |
| dar un abrazo | verb + noun | to give a hug | Le doy un abrazo a mi mamá. | I give my mom a hug. |
| dar un consejo | verb + noun | to give advice | Mi profesor me dio un buen consejo. | My teacher gave me good advice. |
| dar un paseo | verb + noun | to take a walk | Después de comer, damos un paseo por el parque. | After lunch, we take a walk in the park. |
| dar una vuelta | verb + noun | to take a walk | Después de comer, damos una vuelta por el parque. | After lunch, we take a walk in the park. |
| darse cuenta | verb + noun (reflexive) | to realize, to notice | No me di cuenta de que estabas aquí. | I didn't realize you were here. |
| echar de menos | verb phrase | to miss someone | Echo de menos a mi familia. | I miss my family. |
| echar gasolina | verb + noun | to fill up with gas | Tengo que echar gasolina al coche. | I need to fill up the car with gas. |
| echar la culpa | verb + noun | to blame | No me eches la culpa. | Don't blame me. |
| echar un vistazo | verb + noun | to take a look | Voy a echar un vistazo a la tienda. | I’m going to take a look at the store. |
| echar una mano | verb phrase | to help out | ¿Me echas una mano con las cajas? | Can you help me with the boxes? |
