Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Recojo algas en la costa para el proyecto. - I collect seaweed on the coast for the project.

recojo is the first-person singular (yo) present indicative of recoger (“to pick up” or “to gather”). Notice the spelling change: the g becomes j before the vowel o to keep the /x/ sound (like the English ch in loch).

Why not say estoy recogiendo algas instead of recojo algas?

In Spanish the simple present can express both habitual actions and actions happening “right now.” So recojo algas can mean either “I gather seaweed” (in general) or “I’m gathering seaweed” (at this moment). Estoy recogiendo algas puts extra focus on the fact that the action is in progress right now.

Can I use recolectar instead of recoger?

Yes. recolectar also means “to collect/gather,” so recolecto algas works fine. In practice recoger often implies a more casual or manual picking up, while recolectar can sound a bit more formal or systematic (e.g., in a scientific context).

Why is it en la costa and not a la costa?

The preposition en indicates location (“on the coast”). By contrast, a la costa would indicate movement toward the coast (“to the coast”). Since you’re already there gathering seaweed, en la costa is the correct choice.

Could I say en la playa instead of en la costa?

Yes. playa means “beach,” which is a specific part of the coast (the sandy shore). costa covers the entire coastline (including rocks, cliffs, etc.). Use en la playa if you’re specifically on the sandy beach.

Why use para in para el proyecto? Could I say por el proyecto?

para expresses purpose (“for the project,” meaning “in order to use it in the project”). If you said por el proyecto, it would imply a motive or cause (“because of the project”), which shifts the emphasis from purpose to reason.

Why is there no article before algas?

When referring to an unspecified amount or kind, Spanish often omits the indefinite article. Recojo algas literally means “I pick up (some) seaweed.” If you wanted to talk about specific seaweed already mentioned or known, you could say Recojo las algas.

Why is el proyecto definite instead of un proyecto?

Using el proyecto implies that the project is already known or has been mentioned. Saying un proyecto would introduce it as something new or unspecified (“for a project”).

Can costa be plural (costas)? Why not en las costas?

Usually la costa is used in the singular to refer to the coastline in general. You could say en las costas if you meant “on the different shores/coasts” of several regions, but here it’s a single coastal area, so singular la costa is more natural.