tomarlo
“tomarlo” means “to take it” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
to take it
Also: to get it
📝 In Action
Tienes que ir a la mesa y tomarlo.
A1You have to go to the table and take it (pick it up).
Si ves el libro, puedes tomarlo.
A2If you see the book, you can take it.
to drink it
Also: to eat it, to take it
📝 In Action
La leche está caliente. Necesitas esperar antes de tomarlo.
A2The milk is hot. You need to wait before drinking it.
El doctor me dijo que tengo que tomarlo tres veces al día.
B1The doctor told me I have to take it (the medicine) three times a day.
to take it
Also: to assume it
📝 In Action
Ella no quiere tomarlo, el riesgo es demasiado grande.
B1She doesn't want to take it (the risk); the risk is too great.
Antes de tomarlo, piensa bien en las consecuencias.
B2Before taking it (making the decision), think carefully about the consequences.
to take it
Also: to assume it
📝 In Action
No fue un insulto. No debes tomarlo de esa manera.
B2It wasn't an insult. You shouldn't take it (interpret it) that way.
Si te lo ofrecen, debes tomarlo en serio.
C1If they offer it to you, you must take it seriously.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tomarlo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'tomarlo' in the sense of 'to take a decision or risk'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
A compound word formed by the infinitive verb 'tomar' (to take, to grab) and the direct object pronoun 'lo' (it). 'Tomar' comes from Vulgar Latin, possibly related to the idea of cutting off a piece or grabbing hold of something. The structure is common in Spanish when the action word is not fully conjugated.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (as 'tomar'), the compound structure evolved as the language solidified.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'tomarlo' one word instead of two?
'Tomar' is in its base form (the infinitive), and in Spanish, object pronouns like 'lo' must be attached directly to the end of the verb when the verb is an infinitive, a gerund (-ndo form), or an affirmative command.
If 'lo' means 'it,' how would I say 'to take him' or 'to take her'?
You would replace 'lo' with the corresponding pronoun: 'tomarlo' (to take him/it) or 'tomarla' (to take her/it). The structure remains the same, only the pronoun changes.