Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to take" in Portuguese: pegar
pegar
Note: also: tomar; PT-PT: apanhar
To take in Portuguese is often pegar in Brazil: eu pego, você pega. Use pegar for grabbing objects, catching a bus, or picking something up.
Kitchen help
Pega o sal na prateleira de cima, por favor?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pegar
Say it
peh-GAHR / PEH-goo / PEH-gah
/pe.ˈɡaʁ/
peh-GAHR. Eu pego is PEH-goo; você pega is PEH-gah.
"to take" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| pegar | to take / to grab / to catch Core Brazilian verb. | Core Brazilian verb. |
| eu pego | I take / I grab First person. | First person. |
| você pega | you take Offers and instructions. | Offers and instructions. |
| pegar o ônibus / metrô | to take the bus / subway Transit. | Transit. |
| tomar | to take (medicine, drinks) Different everyday uses; not a substitute for pegar objects. | Different everyday uses; not a substitute for pegar objects. |
How to use pegar in real life
- 1Kitchen help
Pega o sal na prateleira de cima, por favor?
Can you grab the salt on the top shelf, please?
Imperative pega.
- 2Leaving home
Eu pego as chaves e já te encontro na porta.
I’ll grab the keys and meet you at the door.
Eu pego.
- 3Transit
A gente pega o ônibus na esquina depois do banco.
We’ll take the bus at the corner after the bank.
Pegar + transport.
Mistakes English speakers make with pegar
Incorrect: Eu tomar as chaves agora.
Correct: Eu pego as chaves agora.
For grabbing objects, pegar (pego) is the natural Brazilian choice.
Incorrect: Vou apanhar o elevador (falando BR).
Correct: Vou pegar o elevador.
Apanhar is more European Portuguese; Brazilians say pegar.
Good to know
Pegar is a workhorse in Brazilian Portuguese: bags, rides, opportunities. Tomar pairs better with drinks and medicine. In European Portuguese, apanhar often covers take/catch where Brazilians use pegar—keep pegar for BR speech.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Packing for a day trip
ChatPal
Você pega a mochila azul ou a preta?
Are you taking the blue backpack or the black one?
You
Pego a preta — cabe mais água.
I’ll take the black one — more water fits.
ChatPal
Então eu pego o proteto solar na gaveta.
Then I’ll grab the sunscreen in the drawer.
You
Obrigada. Sem isso a gente sofre.
Thanks. Without that we’ll suffer.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to take" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to take" in Portuguese
Pegar or tomar?
Pegar for grabbing/catching; tomar for drinks/medicine and some fixed phrases.
How do I conjugate?
Eu pego, você pega, nós pegamos.
Take the bus?
Pegar o ônibus.
Portugal difference?
PT-PT often uses apanhar where BR says pegar.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
