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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

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

yotocara
tútocaras
él/ella/ustedtocara
nosotrostocáramos
vosotrostocarais
ellos/ellas/ustedestocaran
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.