Tomó describes an action that started and finished completely in the past, like a snapshot in time. It translates to the simple English past tense, 'took'.

The Single Past Action

Tomó is used when the person doing the action is 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), or 'usted' (formal you).

Who Did the Action?

Use 'tomó' (from 'tomar') for catching buses, trains, or planes, not 'coger', which can sound rude in many Latin American countries.

Transportation Tip

Extremely common. Used frequently in daily conversation for physical actions and movement.

In Spanish, 'tomar' covers both 'to take' and 'to drink.' You'll often hear 'tomó un café' (he drank a coffee) instead of using 'bebió'.

Drinking vs. Taking

Commonly used as a polite way to say 'to drink' or 'to have' a beverage.

When used with abstract nouns like 'control' or 'responsabilidad', 'tomó' means to start carrying out a duty or to capture authority.

Figurative Use

Common in historical, political, or metaphorical contexts related to power or possession.

'Tomó' is the past tense (preterite) conjugation of 'tomar' for 'he/she/usted.' Learn its main meanings: 'he took,' 'she drank,' and 'he seized power,' with easy grammar explanations and examples.

tomó

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations