toco
/TO-ko/
I touch
Toco (I touch).
toco(verb)
I touch
?physical contact
I feel
?when checking texture
,I handle
?dealing with something
📝 In Action
No toco ese botón porque parece peligroso.
A1I don't touch that button because it looks dangerous.
Siempre toco la tela antes de comprar ropa.
A2I always feel the fabric before buying clothes.
💡 Grammar Points
A Note on 'Tocar' vs. 'Tener'
In Spanish, the preterite form 'toqué' (I touched) is irregular only in spelling, changing 'c' to 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound before 'e' (a spelling rule, not a true irregularity).
Toco (I play a musical instrument).
📝 In Action
Toco el piano desde que tengo cinco años.
A1I have played the piano since I was five years old.
Esta noche toco una canción nueva para mis amigos.
A2Tonight I am playing a new song for my friends.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't use 'Jugar'
Mistake: "Yo juego el piano."
Correction: Yo toco el piano. ('Jugar' is reserved for games and sports, never for musical instruments.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Playing Instruments
In Spanish, you must use the definite article (el, la, los, las) before the instrument when using 'tocar': 'Toco la guitarra', not just 'Toco guitarra'.
Toco (I knock).
📝 In Action
Toco el timbre, pero nadie sale a abrir.
A2I ring the doorbell, but no one comes out to open it.
Si toco muy fuerte, despierto a mi vecino.
B1If I knock too hard, I'll wake up my neighbor.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: toco
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is NOT correct for 'Toco la campana'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'toco' means 'touch' or 'play'?
You must look at the context. If the sentence mentions an instrument (piano, guitarra), it means 'play.' If it mentions a surface or object (mesa, puerta), it usually means 'touch' or 'knock.' The meaning often becomes clear immediately.