tocar
/toh-KAR/
to touch
When referring to physical contact, tocar means "to touch."
tocar(verb)
to touch
?physical contact
,to feel
?by hand
to handle
?things
📝 In Action
No toques la pintura, está fresca.
A1Don't touch the paint, it's fresh.
El niño toca el agua para ver si está fría.
A1The boy touches the water to see if it's cold.
Por favor, no toques a los animales en el zoológico.
A2Please, don't touch the animals in the zoo.
💡 Grammar Points
Spelling Change for Sound
In some forms (like the 'yo' preterite and all present subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu' (tocar -> toqué) to keep the hard 'k' sound, because 'ce' or 'ci' would sound like 's'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Touch' and 'Feel'
Mistake: "Using 'tocar' to express emotional feeling (e.g., 'Me siento toco feliz')."
Correction: Use 'sentirse' for feelings/emotions ('Me siento feliz') and 'tocar' only for physical contact.
⭐ Usage Tips
Knocking and Ringing
In Spanish, 'tocar' is used for both knocking on a door ('tocar la puerta') and ringing a bell ('tocar el timbre').
Tocar also means "to play" a musical instrument.
📝 In Action
¿Sabes tocar la guitarra?
A1Do you know how to play the guitar?
El DJ tocó música increíble en la fiesta.
A2The DJ played incredible music at the party.
Queremos tocar un concierto en el teatro local.
B1We want to play a concert at the local theater.
💡 Grammar Points
No 'Jugar' for Music
Unlike English, which uses 'play' for both games and instruments, Spanish always uses 'tocar' for music and instruments. Use 'jugar' only for sports or games.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Jugar' Incorrectly
Mistake: "Juego el piano (I play the piano)."
Correction: Toco el piano (Use 'tocar' for instruments).
When discussing sequence or responsibility, tocar means "to be one's turn."
tocar(verb)
to be one's turn
?responsibility or sequence
,to be necessary
?as an obligation/duty
to be in charge of
?task assignment
📝 In Action
Me toca lavar los platos esta noche.
A2It's my turn/I have to wash the dishes tonight.
¿A quién le toca presentar el proyecto?
B1Whose turn is it to present the project?
Ahora les toca esperar hasta mañana.
B1Now they have to wait until tomorrow.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Gustar' Structure
This meaning uses the structure of verbs like 'gustar.' You don't conjugate 'tocar' for the person doing the job; you use the indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, les) to show who has the duty.
Singular vs. Plural
The verb form is usually 'toca' (singular) or 'tocan' (plural), matching the thing being done or the items involved, not the person.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Conjugating for the Person
Mistake: "Yo toco hacer la cena. (Trying to say 'I have to make dinner' by conjugating for 'I')."
Correction: Me toca hacer la cena. (Use the impersonal structure `Me toca`.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Fate
'Tocarle a uno' can also mean 'to be one's fate' or 'to happen to one' ('Le tocó una vida difícil' — He was dealt a hard life).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tocar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'tocar' to indicate responsibility?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tocar' the only word for 'to play' music?
Yes, 'tocar' is always used for playing a musical instrument or playing recorded music. The verb 'jugar' is reserved exclusively for games and sports.
How do I say 'I feel touched' emotionally?
While 'tocar' can mean to move someone emotionally (Me tocó el corazón - It touched my heart), you should use 'sentirse conmovido' or 'sentirse emocionado' to express that *you* were personally moved or touched by something.