toqué
/toh-KAY/
touched
The word "toqué" means "I touched," as shown by the hand making physical contact with the ball.
toqué(Verb)
touched
?physical contact
felt
?physical sensation
📝 In Action
Yo toqué el cuadro para ver si era real, pero me regañaron.
A1I touched the painting to see if it was real, but they scolded me.
¿Quién toqué? Lo siento, fue un accidente.
A2Who did I touch? I'm sorry, it was an accident.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'c' to 'qu' Spelling Change
Verbs ending in -car, like 'tocar', must change the 'c' to 'qu' in the 'yo' form of the simple past ('toqué') and throughout the subjunctive mood ('toque', 'toquemos') to keep the hard 'k' sound. If we didn't change it, 'tocé' would sound like 'thoh-seh'!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Tocar' and 'Jugar'
Mistake: "Using 'jugar' for instruments (e.g., 'Jugué la guitarra')."
Correction: Use 'tocar' for musical instruments ('Toqué la guitarra'), and 'jugar' only for sports and games ('Jugué al fútbol').
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical vs. Emotional Touch
While 'tocar' is great for physical contact, use 'conmover' or 'emocionar' when you mean 'to touch' someone emotionally (e.g., 'Su historia me conmovió').
"Toqué" can also mean "I played," referring to playing a musical instrument, like this accordion.
toqué(Verb)
played
?musical instrument
performed
?music
📝 In Action
Toqué la batería en una banda de rock hace diez años.
A1I played the drums in a rock band ten years ago.
Si yo toqué esa canción, la recordarás.
B1If I played that song, you will remember it.
⭐ Usage Tips
No Preposition Needed
Unlike English ('play the piano'), Spanish doesn't need a preposition like 'a' or 'de' after 'tocar' when naming the instrument: 'Yo toqué el violín'.
When referring to a door, "toqué" means "I knocked."
toqué(Verb)
knocked
?on a door
rang
?a bell/chime
📝 In Action
Esperé un minuto y luego toqué el timbre otra vez.
A2I waited a minute and then I rang the doorbell again.
Toqué a la puerta, pero nadie abrió.
A2I knocked on the door, but nobody opened it.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a' with 'Tocar' (Knocking)
When 'tocar' means 'to knock,' it often uses the preposition 'a' before the door: 'toqué a la puerta'. However, if you are ringing a specific object, like a bell, you use the direct object: 'toqué el timbre'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
preterite
present
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: toqué
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is NOT correct for the sentence: 'Yo toqué la campana.'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'toqué' the only way to say 'I touched'?
Yes, 'toqué' is the standard way to say 'I touched' (a finished action in the past). If you were talking about an action that happened over time or habitually in the past, you would use the imperfect: 'Yo tocaba' (I used to touch).
Can 'toqué' mean 'I was my turn'?
Not exactly. The verb 'tocar' can mean 'to be one's turn,' but it is usually used in the third person: 'Me tocó a mí' (It was my turn). You wouldn't typically say 'Yo toqué' to mean 'I was my turn.'