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tocar

toh-KARtoˈkaɾ

to touch, to feel

Also: to handle
VerbA1regular (with orthographic change c>qu) ar
A close-up of a person's index finger gently making contact with a single, vibrant green leaf on a plant.
infinitivetocar
gerundtocando
past Participletocado

📝 In Action

No toques la pintura, está fresca.

A1

Don't touch the paint, it's fresh.

El niño toca el agua para ver si está fría.

A1

The boy touches the water to see if it's cold.

Por favor, no toques a los animales en el zoológico.

A2

Please, don't touch the animals in the zoo.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • palpar (to feel/to palpate)
  • rozar (to brush against)

Common Collocations

  • tocar fondo – to hit rock bottom
  • tocar la puerta – to knock on the door

to play

VerbA1regular (with orthographic change c>qu) ar
A happy cartoon child sitting down and strumming a small acoustic guitar.
infinitivetocar
gerundtocando
past Participletocado

📝 In Action

¿Sabes tocar la guitarra?

A1

Do you know how to play the guitar?

El DJ tocó música increíble en la fiesta.

A2

The DJ played incredible music at the party.

Queremos tocar un concierto en el teatro local.

B1

We want to play a concert at the local theater.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • tocar un instrumento – to play an instrument
  • tocar una melodía – to play a melody

to be one's turn, to be necessary

Also: to be in charge of
VerbB1impersonal/gustar-type structure ar
Three small cartoon bears standing in a simple queue. The bear at the very front of the line is actively receiving a yellow ball, indicating it is their turn.
infinitivetocar
gerundtocando
past Participletocado

📝 In Action

Me toca lavar los platos esta noche.

A2

It's my turn/I have to wash the dishes tonight.

¿A quién le toca presentar el proyecto?

B1

Whose turn is it to present the project?

Ahora les toca esperar hasta mañana.

B1

Now they have to wait until tomorrow.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tocarle a alguien – to be someone's turn

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedtoca
yotoco
tútocas
ellos/ellas/ustedestocan
nosotrostocamos
vosotrostocáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedtocaba
yotocaba
tútocabas
ellos/ellas/ustedestocaban
nosotrostocábamos
vosotrostocabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedtocó
yotoqué
tútocaste
ellos/ellas/ustedestocaron
nosotrostocamos
vosotrostocasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedtoque
yotoque
tútoques
ellos/ellas/ustedestoquen
nosotrostoquemos
vosotrostoquéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedtocara
yotocara
tútocaras
ellos/ellas/ustedestocaran
nosotrostocáramos
vosotrostocarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tocar" in Spanish:

to feel→to handle→to play→to touch→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tocar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'tocar' to indicate responsibility?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the vulgar Latin word *toccare*, which meant 'to strike' or 'to knock.' This explains how the modern Spanish word includes meanings related to physical contact, striking a bell, or striking an instrument.

First recorded: 10th or 11th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: tocarFrench: toucher

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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.