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tocas

TOH-kasˈto.kas

“tocas” means “you play” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

you play

Also: you perform
VerbA1regular (with spelling change) ar
A cheerful cartoon character sitting and strumming a bright red acoustic guitar.
infinitivetocar
gerundtocando
past Participletocado

📝 In Action

¿Qué instrumento tocas? ¿La guitarra?

A1

What instrument do you play? The guitar?

Tocas muy bien el piano, eres talentoso.

A2

You play the piano very well, you are talented.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tocar la batería – to play the drums
  • tocar una melodía – to play a melody

you touch

Also: you handle
VerbA1regular (with spelling change) ar
A close-up view of a hand gently touching a smooth, round blue sphere.
infinitivetocar
gerundtocando
past Participletocado

📝 In Action

No tocas ese cable, es peligroso.

A1

Don't touch that cable, it's dangerous. (You are not touching it, imperative usage)

Si tocas la pared, sentirás la textura áspera.

A2

If you touch the wall, you will feel the rough texture.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • palpar (to feel/grope)
  • rocear (to brush against)

Common Collocations

  • tocar la piel – to touch the skin
  • tocar algo suave – to touch something soft

you knock

Also: you ring
VerbA2regular (with spelling change) ar
A person's fist raised, clearly knocking on a closed brown wooden door.
infinitivetocar
gerundtocando
past Participletocado

📝 In Action

Cuando llegas, siempre tocas el timbre dos veces.

A2

When you arrive, you always ring the doorbell twice.

Tocas la puerta antes de entrar en la oficina.

A2

You knock on the door before entering the office.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tocar el timbre – to ring the doorbell
  • tocar a la puerta – to knock at the door

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/tocase
tútocaras/tocases
él/ella/ustedtocara/tocase
nosotrostocáramos/tocásemos
vosotrostocarais/tocaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedestocaran/tocasen
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tocas

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'tocas' is used in the sentence: 'Tocas la flauta maravillosamente'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
bocaslocas
📚 Etymology▼

The verb 'tocar' comes from the Vulgar Latin word *toccare*, which meant 'to strike' or 'to hit'. It likely originated as a sound word (onomatopoeia), mimicking the sound of a tap or a strike.

First recorded: Around the 11th century in written Spanish.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: tocarFrench: toucher

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'tocar' require a preposition when talking about playing music?

Generally, no. You use the definite article (el, la, los, las) but not a preposition like 'en' (in) or 'con' (with). For example: 'Toco el violín' (I play the violin).

How do I know if 'tocas' means 'touch' or 'play'?

Look at the word that follows it. If it’s a musical instrument (guitarra, piano), it means 'play'. If it’s a physical object (mesa, pared), it means 'touch'.