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How to Say "i took" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “i took” is “tomé” — use 'tomé' when you physically grabbed something, obtained it, or when referring to taking public transportation..

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tomé

verbA1general
Use 'tomé' when you physically grabbed something, obtained it, or when referring to taking public transportation.

Examples

Tomé mi billetera antes de salir de casa.

I took my wallet before leaving the house.

llevé

verbA1general
Use 'llevé' when the action of taking involves moving an object from one place to another, implying carrying or transporting.

Examples

Llevé mi maleta al coche esta mañana.

I carried my suitcase to the car this morning.

di

/dee//di/

verbA1general
Use 'di' when 'took' is part of an idiomatic expression like 'to take a walk' (dar un paseo) or when it means to give something to someone.
A single cartoon character with an outstretched hand, holding a brightly wrapped gift box, representing the completed action of giving something.

Examples

Ayer le di el libro a María.

Yesterday I gave the book to María.

Di un paseo por el parque esta mañana.

I took a walk through the park this morning.

Di mi opinión en la reunión, pero no escucharon.

I gave my opinion in the meeting, but they didn't listen.

Talking About Finished Past Actions

'Di' is how you say 'I gave' for something that happened once and is finished. This past tense is called the 'preterite'. Use it for specific moments, like 'Ayer di un regalo' (Yesterday I gave a gift).

Confusing 'Di' (I gave) and 'Doy' (I give)

Mistake: “Ayer doy el dinero.”

Correction: Use 'Ayer di el dinero.' 'Doy' is for the present ('I give'), while 'di' is for the past ('I gave'). A good trick is to think 'di' = 'I *did* give'.

hice

/ee-seh//ˈiθe/

verbA1general
Use 'hice' when 'took' is part of an expression related to undertaking an activity, such as 'to take a trip' (hacer un viaje) or 'to do homework' (hacer la tarea).
A happy child proudly holding up a freshly baked and decorated cake.

Examples

Hice mi tarea anoche.

I did my homework last night.

Hice un pastel de chocolate para la fiesta.

I made a chocolate cake for the party.

Ayer hice ejercicio en el parque.

Yesterday I exercised in the park.

A Specific Past Action

Use 'hice' to talk about a single, completed action in the past. Think of it like a snapshot: the action started and finished. For example, 'Ayer hice un pastel' (Yesterday I made a cake) - the cake-making is done!

Watch out for 'hizo'!

The form for 'he/she/you (formal) did' is 'hizo'. The 'c' changes to a 'z' to keep the 's' sound. You'll see this pattern in other verbs, so it's a good one to remember.

Mixing up 'hice' and 'hacía'

Mistake: “Cuando era niño, hice mi tarea todos los días.”

Correction: Cuando era niño, hacía mi tarea todos los días. Use 'hacía' for repeated or ongoing actions in the past (what you 'used to do'). Use 'hice' for a specific, finished action (what you 'did' once).

Forgetting the 'c' to 'z' change

Mistake: “Mi hermano hico la cena.”

Correction: Mi hermano hizo la cena. Remember, for 'él/ella/usted', the verb 'hacer' changes to 'hizo' in this past tense to keep the pronunciation right.

cogí

verbA1general
Use 'cogí' primarily when you physically grabbed or picked up an object, often with a sense of taking it quickly or without permission.

Examples

Cogí el libro de la mesa sin permiso.

I took the book off the table without permission.

Tomé vs. Llevé for 'took'

Learners often confuse 'tomé' and 'llevé'. Remember, 'tomé' is for grabbing or taking transport, while 'llevé' specifically means carrying or transporting something from one place to another.

Related Translations

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