Spanish Conversation · Level 78
60 words
Spanish word
descolgar
Pronunciation
IPA/deskolˈɣaɾ/
Meaning
- verbpick up the phone
Example
¿Puedes descolgar ahora?
Can you pick up the phone now?
More examples
Si suena el móvil, tienes que descolgar.
If the phone rings, you have to answer it.
Core concept
Lifting a telephone receiver off its cradle.
Common phrases
descolgar el móvil
answer the phone
descolgar la llamada
answer the call
Similar words
contestar: Answers an incoming call by speaking to the caller or acknowledging them.
atender: Handles an incoming call by listening and responding to the caller's concern.
coger: Takes hold of a handset or phone with the hand.
Definition in Spanish
Separar o quitar algo colgado; en uso telefónico, tomar el auricular para contestar una llamada.
Word origin
From des- 'remove' plus colgar 'to hang', with the telephone sense coming from the old habit of hanging the handset on a hook or cradle.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech contestar or coger el teléfono often express 'answer the phone' in general, while descolgar highlights the physical act of taking the receiver.