Tocar: to touch
Pronunciation: toh-KAHR (stress the capital letters)
Tocar means “to touch” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to touch; to play (an instrument)
- How to say it: toh-KAHR
- Present: yo toco, tú tocas
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “tocar” means and how to use it
Tocar means “to touch” and also “to play” a musical instrument. It is used for knocking on a door as well.
How to conjugate “tocar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | toco | I |
| tú | tocas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | toca | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | tocamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | tocan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo toqué, él tocó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | tocado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Toco la guitarra los domingos.I play the guitar on Sundays.
- No toques eso, está caliente.Do not touch that, it is hot.
- Tocan a la puerta, ¿puedes abrir?Someone is knocking, can you open?
Usage tip
Use tocar for instruments and jugar for games and sports: toco el piano, juego fútbol. “Me toca a mí” means “it is my turn.” The past tense of “yo” is “toqué.”
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to touch” in Spanish?
“to touch” in Spanish is “tocar.” It is pronounced toh-KAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “tocar”?
Say toh-KAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “tocar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “toqué” and “él” is “tocó.” The past participle is “tocado.”
Practice “tocar” for free
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