Bedeutung
To treat something or someone with extreme care or delicacy.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, this phrase is a staple of bar talk and political commentary. It reflects a cultural pushback against what some perceive as an overly sensitive modern society. Mexicans will understand the phrase but will almost always substitute 'coger' with 'agarrar' to avoid the sexual meaning of the former. Similar to Mexico, 'coger' is strictly sexual. Argentines might use 'ser un delicado' or 'no te lo tomés tan a pecho' instead. In the south of Spain, where tobacco rolling was historically a major industry (Seville), the phrase carries a certain local pride in the metaphor's origin.
The 'Coger' Trap
If you are in Latin America, use 'agarrar' or 'tomar'. Using 'coger' might lead to some very awkward laughs.
Use the 'la'
To sound like a native Spaniard, always include the 'la' (cogérseLA). It makes the phrase feel complete and idiomatic.
Bedeutung
To treat something or someone with extreme care or delicacy.
The 'Coger' Trap
If you are in Latin America, use 'agarrar' or 'tomar'. Using 'coger' might lead to some very awkward laughs.
Use the 'la'
To sound like a native Spaniard, always include the 'la' (cogérseLA). It makes the phrase feel complete and idiomatic.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct reflexive pronoun for this idiom.
Mi hermano siempre ___ la coge con papel de fumar.
The idiom is fixed with the feminine 'la'.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb form.
No le digas nada a Juan, que se lo ______ (coger) todo con papel de fumar.
We need the third person singular present tense.
In which situation would you use this phrase?
Tu amigo se enfada porque has tardado 5 minutos en contestar un mensaje.
Getting angry over a minor delay is a sign of being overly sensitive.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenMi hermano siempre ___ la coge con papel de fumar.
The idiom is fixed with the feminine 'la'.
No le digas nada a Juan, que se lo ______ (coger) todo con papel de fumar.
We need the third person singular present tense.
Tu amigo se enfada porque has tardado 5 minutos en contestar un mensaje.
Getting angry over a minor delay is a sign of being overly sensitive.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenIt can be. It's a critique of someone's attitude. Use it with friends, but be careful using it *to* someone's face if you don't want to start a fight.
Rarely. It's almost always about people's reactions or handling a very delicate social situation.
Because rolling paper (papel de fumar) is the thinnest, most fragile paper people commonly handled in the past.
Only in opinion pieces or informal blogs. Avoid it in academic or business reports.
'Coger' is just the verb 'to take'. 'Cogérsela' is the idiomatic form where 'la' represents the person's sensitivity or the situation.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Tener la piel fina
synonymTo be thin-skinned.
Andar con pies de plomo
similarTo walk with lead feet (be very cautious).
Ser un tiquismiquis
similarTo be a fusspot/picky.
