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.
Want more than one list? Browse our Spanish section for more Yak Yacker study pages, printable lists, and quiz-friendly review material.
Quick Quiz
Think you’ve locked these collocations into memory? The quiz below gives you a friendly nudge – no grades, just a quick spot-check to see which ones need another pass.
Browse the Full List
| Collocation | Type | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tener frío | verb + adjective | to feel cold | Tengo frío, ¿puedes cerrar la puerta? | I am cold. Can you close the door? |
| tener ganas | verb + noun | to feel like, to want | Tengo ganas de comer una pizza. | I feel like eating a pizza. |
| tener hambre | verb + adjective | to be hungry | Tengo hambre. Quiero comer algo. | I’m hungry. I want to eat something. |
| tener lugar | verb + noun | to take place, to happen | La reunión tiene lugar a las cinco. | The meeting takes place at five. |
| tener miedo | verb + noun | to be afraid | El niño tiene miedo de la oscuridad. | The child is afraid of the dark. |
| tener prisa | verb phrase | to be in a hurry | Hoy tengo prisa porque llego tarde. | Today I'm in a hurry because I'm late. |
| tener que ver con | verbal phrase | to have to do with, to be related to | Eso no tiene que ver con el problema. | That has nothing to do with the problem. |
| tener razón | verb + noun | to be right | Creo que tienes razón. | I think you’re right. |
| tener sed | verb + noun | to be thirsty | Tengo sed. | I’m thirsty. |
| tener sueño | verb + adjective | to be sleepy | Es tarde y tengo sueño. | It’s late and I’m sleepy. |
| tener suerte | verb + noun | to be lucky | Hoy he tenido suerte y he encontrado mi móvil. | Today I was lucky and found my phone. |
| tomar café | verb + noun | to drink coffee | Tomo café después de desayunar. | I drink coffee after breakfast. |
| tomar el sol | verb + noun | to sunbathe | Tomamos el sol. | We are sunbathing. |
| tomar un café | verb phrase | to have a coffee | Vamos a tomar un café después de clase. | Let's have a coffee after class. |
| tomar un descanso | verb + noun | to take a break | Vamos a tomar un descanso después de estudiar. | Let’s take a break after studying. |
| tomar una decisión | verb + noun | to make a decision | Tengo que tomar una decisión hoy. | I have to make a decision today. |
| tomar una ducha | verb + noun | to take a shower | Voy a tomar una ducha. | I am going to take a shower. |
| tomar una foto | verb + noun | to take a photo | Tomé una foto del parque. | I took a photo of the park. |
| ver la televisión | verb phrase | to watch TV | Por la tarde vemos la televisión. | In the afternoon we watch TV. |




