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?