Descolgar

[DailyWord]

This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for November 30, 2008

descolgar - verb - to unhook, unhang, to take down, to pick up. Look up descolgar in the dictionary

Sonó el teléfono y con una mano temblorosa lo descolgó.
The phone rang, and his hand trembling, he picked it up.

[Jessica]

can pick up also be quitar? like quitar la mesa? I know it won't work in here, though.

[Rusty]

Yes, there are several other ways to translate to pick up into Spanish. I've included some of them below.

recoger = to pick up (things from off the ground, floor, etc.)
tomar = to pick up (take things from a table, for instance)
coger, agarrar = to pick up (things at the store, for instance)
aprender = to pick up (a language)
captar = to pick up (a signal)
adquirir = to pick up (a habit)
levantar = to pick up (a child, to lift)
mejorar = to pick up (improve, like the weather, or to get better in health)
repuntar = to pick up (economy or business)
reanimar = to pick up (revive)
recoger = to pick up (passengers)

Quitar la mesa can be translated to clear the table as well as to pick up the table.

[CrOtALiTo]

Then I can to say this, I pick up my shoes of the floor, This does phrase is accurate?

[Jessica]

Corrections:
Then i can say this: I pick my shoes off the floor. Is this phrase accurate?

[lee ying]

maybe like that: i pick my shoes up they´re on the floor..

[Jessica]

yes - here's a bit of correction" I pick my shoes up because they're on the floor.

[lee ying]

oh i see, yes´re right..

[lee ying]

why jessica used the word off? and everyone used the word up i´m confussed

[Jessica]

Well I thought of it as this, like your mom telling you to do it:
"Jessica, take the shoes off the floor, because it will make it dirty!"

[CrOtALiTo]

I didn't understand anything, Jessica Why do you weir the word Off in that phrase? please you could explain me that.

[Rusty]

Your shoes are on the floor. Get them off (of) the floor.
The following sentences can be equally used (they mean the exact same thing as the two sentences above):

Pick up your shoes from the floor.
Pick up your shoes from off the floor.
Pick your shoes up from off the floor.
Pick your shoes up from the floor.

[CrOtALiTo]

Then Jessica's answer is accurate.