Inklingo

How to Say "knocked" in Spanish

English → Spanish

golpeó

VerbA2General
Use this word when 'knocked' means to hit something with force, causing an impact, like a car hitting a wall.

Examples

El coche rojo golpeó el muro de contención.

The red car hit the retaining wall.

tocado

toh-KAH-doh/toˈkaðo/

Verb FormA1General
This is the past participle used with 'haber' or 'estar' and refers to the action of knocking on a door or ringing a bell.
A close-up view of a human index finger gently making contact with the smooth, polished surface of a round, blue stone.

Examples

Nunca he tocado esa campana.

I have never rung that bell.

Ella había tocado el piano desde niña.

She had played the piano since she was a child.

Forming Perfect Tenses

This form ('tocado') is always used with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses, such as the present perfect ('he tocado', I have touched).

Using 'Estar' instead of 'Haber'

Mistake: “Yo estoy tocado el violín.”

Correction: Yo he tocado el violín. Remember, 'tocado' needs 'haber' for completed actions, not 'estar'.

toqué

VerbA2General
Use this specific past tense form when you personally knocked on a door or rang a doorbell.

Examples

Esperé un minuto y luego toqué el timbre otra vez.

I waited a minute and then I rang the doorbell again.

Distinguishing between 'golpear' and 'tocar'

The most common confusion is using 'golpear' when you mean to knock on a door. Remember, 'golpear' implies a forceful impact, while 'tocar' (or its past tense 'toqué') is for politely signaling your presence at a door or with a bell.

Related Translations

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