Confusing 'Tocar' with 'Sentir'

The letter 'c' sounds like 'k' when followed by a, o, or u (tocar). However, if you need to use the 'k' sound before e or i, the spelling changes to 'qu' (e.g., toqué, toques).

Pronouncing the Hard 'K' Sound

'Toca' is also the informal command used to tell a friend to touch something or play music: '¡Toca esto!' (Touch this!)

The 'Tú' Command

Extremely common. Used for the basic physical action of touching.

In Spanish, when you say someone plays an instrument, you must use the definite article (el, la) before the instrument: 'toca la trompeta'.

Using the Article

Very common when discussing music and musical instruments.

Using 'toca' instead of 'deber'

When used to mean 'whose turn it is,' the sentence structure is similar to 'gustar.' You use an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le) followed by 'toca' to indicate who has the responsibility.

The 'Turn' Construction

This meaning can also be used for good luck! If someone 'wins' the lottery, you say 'Le toca la lotería' (The lottery falls to them).

Expressing Good Fortune

Commonly used in daily life to assign duties, turns, or responsibilities.

Rarely used outside of historical, religious, or specific professional contexts.

Learn the comprehensive meanings of 'toca': the forms for 'he/she/it touches,' 'he/she/it plays music,' 'it is one's turn,' and the rarely used noun meaning 'coif' or 'cap.' Includes full conjugation tables.

tocar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations