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How to Say "to touch" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tocar

/toh-KAR//toˈkaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'tocar' when referring to physical contact with something or someone, like touching an object or a person's arm.
A close-up of a person's index finger gently making contact with a single, vibrant green leaf on a plant.

Examples

No toques la pintura, está fresca.

Don't touch the paint, it's fresh.

El niño toca el agua para ver si está fría.

The boy touches the water to see if it's cold.

Por favor, no toques a los animales en el zoológico.

Please, don't touch the animals in the zoo.

Spelling Change for Sound

In some forms (like the 'yo' preterite and all present subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu' (tocar -> toqué) to keep the hard 'k' sound, because 'ce' or 'ci' would sound like 's'.

Confusing 'Touch' and 'Feel'

Mistake: “Using 'tocar' to express emotional feeling (e.g., 'Me siento toco feliz').”

Correction: Use 'sentirse' for feelings/emotions ('Me siento feliz') and 'tocar' only for physical contact.

conmover

kohn-moh-BEHR/konmoˈβeɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'conmover' when an event, story, or situation causes a deep emotional response or affects someone profoundly.
A child offering a single flower to an elderly person who is smiling with a hand over their heart.

Examples

La historia del niño conmovió a todos.

The boy's story moved everyone.

Sus palabras me conmovieron profundamente.

Her words touched me deeply.

Es una película que logra conmover sin ser demasiado triste.

It is a movie that manages to be moving without being too sad.

The 'O' to 'UE' Swap

This verb is a 'stem-changer.' When you stress the middle of the word (like in 'conmuevo'), the 'o' changes to 'ue'. This happens in all present tense forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.

Don't Forget the Personal 'A'

When you are moving someone (a person or pet) emotionally, you must put the word 'a' before them: 'Conmovió a María'.

Mover vs. Conmover

Mistake: “La música me movió mucho.”

Correction: La música me conmovió mucho. Use 'mover' for physical movement (moving a chair) and 'conmover' for emotional movement.

emocionar

eh-moh-syoh-NAHR/emoθjoˈnar/

verbB1general
Use 'emocionar' when something causes an emotional reaction, often excitement or happiness, but can also be sadness.
A child handing a single bright flower to an elderly person who is smiling warmly with a hand over their heart.

Examples

Esa canción siempre me emociona mucho.

That song always moves me a lot.

Sus palabras emocionaron a todo el público.

His words touched the entire audience.

Me emociona saber que vas a venir a visitarnos.

It excites me to know that you are coming to visit us.

Using it like 'Gustar'

When you want to say something moves you, the thing doing the moving is the subject. Say 'Me emociona la película' (The movie moves me).

People vs. Things

If you are 'moving' a person, remember to use the personal 'a' after the verb: 'El final emocionó a Juan'.

Confusing 'Excite' with 'Emocionar'

Mistake: “Using 'excitar' for emotional excitement.”

Correction: Use 'emocionar' or 'entusiasmar'. In Spanish, 'excitar' often has a physical or sexual connotation.

pulsar

/pool-SAHR//pulˈsaɾ/

verbC1general
Use 'pulsar' specifically when referring to the action of playing a musical instrument, often by pressing or plucking strings.
A hand plucking the nylon strings of a classical guitar.

Examples

Comenzó a pulsar las cuerdas de la guitarra con suavidad.

He began to pluck the guitar strings gently.

Physical vs. Emotional 'Touch'

The most common mistake is using 'tocar' for emotional impact. Remember that 'tocar' is for physical contact only. For emotional responses, use 'conmover' for deep feelings or 'emocionar' for a more general emotional reaction.

Related Translations

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