Poner

Poner is one of the most common verbs in Spanish. Its basic meaning is “to put,” but it is also used in several everyday expressions.

You do not need to learn every use at once. Start with the A1 meanings and add the others as your Spanish improves.

A1 — Essential uses

At A1, focus on the basic meaning “to put” and a few very common everyday uses.

1. Put something somewhere

poner + something + en + place

• Pongo el libro en la mesa. — I put the book on the table.
• ¿Dónde pongo esto? — Where do I put this?
• Pon las llaves aquí. — Put the keys here.

This is the most basic meaning of poner.

2. Put on clothes — ponerse

Use ponerse for putting on clothes, shoes, glasses, and other things you wear.

ponerse + clothing

• Me pongo la chaqueta. — I put on my jacket.
• Ponte los zapatos. — Put your shoes on.
• Voy a ponerme las gafas. — I’m going to put on my glasses.

Compare:

• Pongo la chaqueta en la silla. — I put the jacket on the chair.
• Me pongo la chaqueta. — I put the jacket on.

3. Play or put on music, TV, etc.

In everyday Spanish, poner is commonly used for playing music or putting something on to watch.

• Pon música. — Put some music on.
• ¿Puedes poner esa canción? — Can you play that song?
• Vamos a poner una película. — Let’s put on a movie.

A2 — Common everyday uses

At A2, learn some additional uses that you will often need in daily life.

4. Turn on or start something

Poner can be used with some machines, appliances, heating, and similar things.

• Voy a poner la lavadora. — I’m going to start the washing machine / put a load of laundry on.
• Pon el aire acondicionado. — Turn on the air conditioning.
• ¿Puedes poner la calefacción? — Can you turn the heating on?

For many simple devices, encender is also commonly used.

5. Set something

Use poner for things such as alarms.

• Voy a poner una alarma. — I’m going to set an alarm.
• Pon la alarma para las ocho. — Set the alarm for eight.

6. Add something

Poner can mean to put or add an ingredient or another substance.

• Pon un poco de sal. — Add a little salt.
• ¿Le pongo azúcar? — Shall I put sugar in it?
• No pongas tanto aceite. — Don’t add so much oil.

B1 — Changes of state with ponerse

At B1, an important use is:

ponerse + adjective = to become / get

It describes a change into a state, often an emotional or physical state.

• Me pongo nerviosa cuando hablo en público. — I get nervous when I speak in public.
• Se puso triste. — He/She became sad.
• Se está poniendo enfermo. — He’s getting sick.
• No te pongas nervioso. — Don’t get nervous.

This use is especially useful when learning different Spanish verbs for “to become.”

Useful forms

Poner is irregular, so some forms are worth learning early:

• pongo — I put
• pon — put! (tú command)
• puse — I put (preterite)
• puesto — put (past participle)

You do not need to learn all of these at A1. Learn each form when you study the corresponding tense.

What should I learn first?

A1:
poner algo en algún lugar → put something somewhereponerse + clothes → put something onponer música / una película → put on / play

A2:
poner la lavadora / calefacción → start / turn onponer una alarma → setponer sal / azúcar → add

B1:
ponerse + adjective → become / get

There are many other expressions with poner, but these are the most useful meanings to learn first.