tomaron
/toh-MAH-rohn/
they took
Tomaron: they took (referring to objects).
tomaron(Verb)
they took
?physical action; referring to objects
,you all took
?formal plural 'ustedes'
they grabbed
?quick action
,they picked up
?lifting something
📝 In Action
Ellos tomaron el paraguas antes de salir a la lluvia.
A1They took the umbrella before going out into the rain.
Las niñas tomaron los lápices de la mesa.
A2The girls picked up the pencils from the table.
💡 Grammar Points
Identifying 'Tomaron'
This form always refers to a group of people ('they' or 'you all formal') doing the action in the simple past, meaning the action started and finished at a specific time.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Simple Past vs. Ongoing Past
Mistake: "Using 'tomaron' when the action was repeated or ongoing in the past (e.g., 'They used to take')."
Correction: Use 'tomaban' (the imperfect tense) for repeated or habitual actions: 'Ellos tomaban el bus todos los días.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Preterite Focus
Use 'tomaron' when you are telling a sequence of events: 'They arrived, they took the keys, and they left.'
Tomaron: they drank (referring to beverages).
tomaron(Verb)
they drank
?beverages
,you all drank
?formal plural 'ustedes'
they had (a drink)
?social context
📝 In Action
Los invitados tomaron un poco de vino en la fiesta.
A1The guests drank a little wine at the party.
Después del ejercicio, tomaron agua rápidamente.
A1After exercising, they drank water quickly.
💡 Grammar Points
Drinking vs. Eating
While 'beber' (to drink) is clearer, 'tomar' is often preferred for drinks, snacks, or medicine, especially in Spain and parts of Latin America. It's more versatile.
⭐ Usage Tips
Medicine
When talking about medicine, always use 'tomar': 'Tomaron las pastillas' (They took the pills).
Tomaron: they took (referring to transport).
tomaron(Verb)
they took (transport)
?bus, taxi, train
,they followed (a route)
?a road or path
they caught (a ride)
?informal transportation
📝 In Action
Cuando salieron del aeropuerto, tomaron un taxi.
A2When they left the airport, they took a taxi.
Los excursionistas tomaron el camino más corto.
B1The hikers took the shortest path.
💡 Grammar Points
Choosing a Route
Just like in English, 'tomar' is the verb you use to describe choosing a specific road, street, or mode of transport to get somewhere.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tomaron
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'tomaron' in the sense of 'to drink'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'tomaron' mean 'took' or 'drank'?
It can mean both, depending on the context! If they took a cup, it means 'took.' If they took coffee, it means 'drank.' It’s one of the most versatile verbs in Spanish.
Why is 'tomaron' used for 'ustedes' (you all formal) as well as 'ellos' (they)?
In Spanish, the formal 'you' (usted/ustedes) uses the same verb forms as 'he/she/it' or 'they.' So, 'ustedes tomaron' means 'you all took,' and 'ellos tomaron' means 'they took.'