toma
/TOH-mah/
take
Toma is the command form, meaning 'Take' or 'Have this' (informal).
📝 In Action
Toma, aquí tienes tu chaqueta.
A1Here, take your jacket.
Si tienes sed, toma un vaso de agua.
A1If you're thirsty, have a glass of water.
Toma nota de la dirección.
A2Take note of the address.
💡 Grammar Points
Giving Commands
This is the command form of 'tomar' used for the informal 'you' (tú). It's how you tell a friend to do something, like 'Toma esto' (Take this).
⭐ Usage Tips
Handing Something Over
You'll often hear 'toma' by itself when someone is handing you something, similar to how an English speaker would say 'Here you go' or 'Here'.
Toma is used to say 'He/she takes' or 'He/she drinks' (present tense).
toma(Verb)
he/she takes
?statement about a third person
you take
?statement to a formal 'you' (usted)
,he/she has/drinks
?referring to food or beverages
📝 In Action
Mi hermana siempre toma el tren de las ocho.
A1My sister always takes the eight o'clock train.
¿Usted toma café por la mañana?
A1Do you (formal) have coffee in the morning?
El doctor toma la presión al paciente.
A2The doctor takes the patient's blood pressure.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Actions
This form is used to state a fact or describe what someone (he, she, or a formal you) is doing right now or does regularly. It's the 'él/ella/usted' form of the verb 'tomar' in the present tense.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'toma' and 'tomas'
Mistake: "Using 'toma' when talking to a friend (tú). For example: 'Tú toma el libro.'"
Correction: When talking to a friend (tú), you need to add an 's': 'Tú tomas el libro.' Use 'toma' for 'él', 'ella', or the formal 'usted'.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Tomar' for Drinking and Eating
In many Spanish-speaking regions, 'tomar' is the most common verb for having a drink or a light meal. 'Ella toma un café' (She's having a coffee) is very natural.
As an interjection, ¡Toma! can express excitement or success, similar to 'Yes!' or 'Take that!'
toma(Interjection)
here!
?when handing something to someone
take that!
?expressing success or satisfaction, like 'I told you so'
,wow!
?expressing surprise
📝 In Action
¡Toma! Se me olvidó darte las llaves.
A2Here! I forgot to give you the keys.
¡Gané la apuesta! ¡Toma!
B1I won the bet! Take that!
¡Toma, qué golazo!
B2Wow, what a great goal!
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just 'Here'
Listen to the speaker's tone. If they're handing you something, it means 'Here'. If they just accomplished something, it's a celebration, like 'Yes!' or 'Take that!'
La toma is a feminine noun that can mean an 'intake' or an electrical 'outlet'.
toma(Noun)
intake
?of air, water, etc.
outlet
?electrical socket
,shot / take
?in filming or recording
,seizure / taking
?of power, a city, etc.
📝 In Action
La toma de aire del motor está sucia.
B1The engine's air intake is dirty.
¿Hay una toma de corriente cerca para mi portátil?
A2Is there an electrical outlet nearby for my laptop?
El director dijo: '¡Silencio, vamos a la toma tres!'
B2The director said: 'Quiet, we're going to take three!'
La toma del castillo fue un momento clave en la historia.
B2The taking of the castle was a key moment in history.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun
Remember that 'toma' as a noun is always feminine, so you'll use 'la toma' or 'una toma'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Look for 'de'
When 'toma' is a noun, it's often followed by 'de' to specify what kind of 'taking' or 'intake' it is, like 'toma de agua' (water intake) or 'toma de poder' (seizure of power).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: toma
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'toma' as a noun meaning 'electrical outlet'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'toma' and 'tomas'?
They both come from the verb 'tomar' (to take). 'Tomas' (with an 's') is what you use to say 'you take' when talking to a friend (tú), like 'Tú tomas el autobús'. 'Toma' (no 's') is used for 'he takes', 'she takes', or 'you (formal) take'. It's also the command form: 'Toma esto' (Take this!).
Can 'toma' mean 'drink'?
Yes, absolutely! The verb 'tomar' is very commonly used to mean 'to drink' or 'to have' a beverage. For example, 'Él toma mucho café' means 'He drinks a lot of coffee.' It can also be used for medicine ('toma la pastilla' - he takes the pill) or food.
I heard someone shout '¡Toma ya!'. What does that mean?
That's a very common expression, especially in Spain. It's a cry of victory or excitement, similar to 'Yes!', 'Take that!', or 'Awesome!'. It's used when something great happens unexpectedly.