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tomando

toh-MAHN-doh/toˈmando/

taking, grabbing

Also: holding
Verb (Gerund)A1regular ar
SpainMexico/Central America
A hand reaching down and gently taking a single, colorful apple from a wooden table.
infinitivetomar
gerundtomando
past Participletomado

📝 In Action

Mi bebé está tomando mi dedo con mucha fuerza.

A1

My baby is taking/grabbing my finger very tightly.

El presidente está tomando una decisión importante sobre la economía.

B1

The president is making an important decision about the economy.

Ella está tomando notas en la reunión.

A2

She is taking notes in the meeting.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar tomando apuntes – to be taking notes
  • estar tomando el mando – to be taking charge

drinking

Also: taking, having
Verb (Gerund)A1regular ar
A simplified illustration of a person holding a glass of water and actively drinking from it.
infinitivetomar
gerundtomando
past Participletomado

📝 In Action

Ella está tomando un vaso de agua porque tiene mucha sed.

A1

She is drinking a glass of water because she is very thirsty.

¿Estás tomando la cerveza o el vino?

A1

Are you drinking the beer or the wine?

El doctor dijo que ella debe seguir tomando sus antibióticos.

A2

The doctor said she must continue taking her antibiotics.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bebiendo (drinking)
  • ingiriendo (ingesting)

Common Collocations

  • estar tomando café – to be drinking coffee
  • estar tomando el sol – to be sunbathing (taking the sun)

taking, catching

Verb (Gerund)A2regular ar
A simplified character stepping up onto the first step of a large, colorful city bus.
infinitivetomar
gerundtomando
past Participletomado

📝 In Action

Estamos tomando el tren ahora mismo. Llegaremos pronto.

A2

We are taking the train right now. We will arrive soon.

Si llueve, terminaremos tomando un taxi a casa.

B1

If it rains, we will end up taking a taxi home.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cogiendo (taking (Spain))
  • yendo en (going by (bus, train, etc.))

Common Collocations

  • tomando el metro – taking the subway

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedtoma
yotomo
tútomas
ellos/ellas/ustedestoman
nosotrostomamos
vosotrostomáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedtomaba
yotomaba
tútomabas
ellos/ellas/ustedestomaban
nosotrostomábamos
vosotrostomabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedtomó
yotomé
tútomaste
ellos/ellas/ustedestomaron
nosotrostomamos
vosotrostomasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedtome
yotome
tútomes
ellos/ellas/ustedestomen
nosotrostomemos
vosotrostoméis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedtomara
yotomara
tútomaras
ellos/ellas/ustedestomaran
nosotrostomáramos
vosotrostomarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tomando" in Spanish:

catching→drinking→grabbing→having→holding→taking→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tomando

Question 1 of 2

Which English translation is NOT a common meaning of 'Está tomando'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The verb 'tomar' comes from Vulgar Latin *automare, which is related to the Gothic *nēman*, meaning 'to take.' It replaced the classical Latin word *capere* (to catch/take).

First recorded: Around 13th century (as 'tomar')

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: tomarItalian (loanword): tomare

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the grammatical role of 'tomando'?

'Tomando' is the present participle, or gerund, of the verb 'tomar'. Its main job is to combine with 'estar' (to be) to form continuous tenses, showing an action happening right now (e.g., 'estoy tomando').

Can I use 'tomando' for consuming food?

Yes, but it is much more common to use 'tomando' for drinks and medicine. For solid food, it's generally better to use 'comiendo' (eating).