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tomen

TOH-men/ˈtomen/

take

Also: grab, receive
VerbA1regular ar
Two hands interacting, one offering a bright red apple and the other gently taking it.
infinitivetomar
gerundtomando
past Participletomado

📝 In Action

¡Tomen un asiento y esperen al doctor!

A1

Take a seat and wait for the doctor!

Espero que los niños tomen la decisión correcta.

A2

I hope the children make (take) the correct decision.

El jefe necesita que ustedes tomen más responsabilidades.

B1

The boss needs you (plural, formal) to take more responsibilities.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • tomen nota – take note
  • tomen fotos – take pictures

drink

Also: take, have
VerbA1regular ar
A joyful illustration of a person drinking juice from a clear glass with a straw.
infinitivetomar
gerundtomando
past Participletomado

📝 In Action

¡Tomen esta medicina tres veces al día!

A1

Take this medicine three times a day!

¿Quieren que tomen un poco de vino con la cena?

A2

Do you want them to drink some wine with dinner?

Les sugiero que tomen un café antes de empezar.

B1

I suggest that you (plural formal) have a coffee before starting.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • beber (to drink (general))
  • ingerir (to ingest)

Common Collocations

  • tomen agua – drink water
  • tomen una copa – have a drink

take

Also: catch, board
VerbA2regular ar
A vibrant illustration showing a large yellow bus driving down a street near a simple bus stop.
infinitivetomar
gerundtomando
past Participletomado

📝 In Action

Recomiendo que tomen el metro en lugar del taxi.

A2

I recommend that they take the subway instead of the taxi.

Si tienen prisa, ¡tomen el camino más corto!

B1

If you (plural formal) are in a hurry, take the shortest path!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ir en (to go by)
  • subir a (to get on)

Common Collocations

  • tomen el autobús – take the bus
  • tomen la carretera – take the highway

🔄 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/tomase
yotomara/tomase
tútomaras/tomases
ellos/ellas/ustedestomaran/tomasen
nosotrostomáramos/tomásemos
vosotrostomarais/tomaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tomen" in Spanish:

board→drink→grab→have→receive→take→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tomen

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'tomen' as a direct, polite command?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tomar(to take (infinitive)) — Verb
la toma(the taking/the shot (noun)) — Noun
tomador/a(taker/drinker) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
homennomen
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin verb *tumāre*, meaning 'to grab, seize,' which later evolved in Iberian Romance languages to encompass the meaning of 'to drink' as well.

First recorded: 13th century (as *tomar*)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: tomar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tomen' a command form or a subjunctive form?

'Tomen' is both! It is the formal plural command form ('ustedes') meaning 'Take!' or 'Drink!' and it is also the verb form used for 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' in the present subjunctive, which expresses wishes, doubts, or necessity.

How do I know if 'tomen' means 'take' or 'drink'?

Context is key. If the object is a liquid or medicine (tomen agua, tomen la pastilla), it means 'drink/ingest.' If the object is a seat, a bus, or a physical item (tomen el libro, tomen el tren), it means 'take/grab.'