tómate
TOH-mah-teh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Tómate la medicina antes de acostarte.
A2Take the medicine before you go to bed.
¡Tómate un descanso, has trabajado mucho!
B1Take a break, you have worked a lot!
Tómate tu tiempo para decidir, no hay prisa.
B1Take your time to decide, there is no rush.
💡 Grammar Points
A Command with 'You' Attached
This word is a combination of the 'tú' command form of tomar (toma) and the pronoun te (you/yourself). It means you are telling a friend to take something for their own benefit.
Why the Accent?
When you attach a pronoun to a command, the stress of the word usually moves. The written accent over the 'o' (tómate) keeps the emphasis on the original part of the verb, following standard Spanish stress rules.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Accent
Mistake: "Tomate (meaning 'tomato')."
Correction: Tómate (meaning 'take it'). The accent mark is essential to show this is a verb command, not the fruit.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
Tomar can mean 'take,' 'drink,' or even 'eat' (like soup or pills). Always use the context to figure out if tómate means 'drink this' or 'grab that.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tómate
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'tómate' as a command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'tómate' have an accent mark, while 'tomate' usually doesn't?
The word 'tómate' (with the accent) is a command form of the verb 'tomar' combined with a pronoun. The accent mark is required to show where the word is stressed, following the rules for combined verbs. The noun 'tomate' (the fruit) is usually stressed on the second-to-last syllable, so it doesn't need an accent.
Is 'tómate' the same as 'jitomate'?
In Mexico, 'jitomate' is the standard word for the common red tomato. 'Tómate' (or just 'tomate') can sometimes be used interchangeably, but historically, 'tomate' referred to the smaller green tomatillo.