tomarse de la mano
/tomaɾse de la mano/from spelling rules
The English phrase "holding hands" is translated into Spanish as tomarse de la mano.
Tomarse de la mano describes the act of grasping another person's hand with your own, typically as a sign of affection.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb tomar (to take), the reflexive pronoun se (each other), the preposition de (of) and la mano (the hand).
Which one should you use?
While tomarse de la mano describes a reciprocal act where two people hold hands together, the phrase tomar la mano implies a one-sided action, such as one person grasping the hand of another to guide them.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the phrase Darse la mano is used to refer to holding hands, though it literally means "to give each other the hand."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the reflexive pronoun se to indicate a reciprocal action, meaning the two people are holding hands with each other.
How do you pronounce it?
/tomaɾse de la mano/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, tomarse de la mano is common not only between romantic partners but also between adult female friends or family members as a platonic sign of support.
- In some contexts, mano is used as a clipping of hermano, the word for 'brother' or 'sibling'.
- While tomarse de la mano means holding hands, the phrase darse la mano is the standard way to describe a formal handshake in many regions.
Examples in context
- María y Juan caminaron tomándose de las manos por el parque.María and Juan walked holding hands in the park.
- Los abuelos iban agarrados de la mano en el paseo marítimo.The grandparents were holding hands on the promenade.
- Los niños iban felices de la mano mientras cruzaban la calle.The children were happily holding hands while crossing the street.
- Los novios van cogidos de la mano por la avenida principal.The couple is walking hand in hand along the main avenue.
- Están tomándose de la mano en el parque.They are holding hands in the park.
- A ellos les gusta tomarse de la mano.They like holding hands.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are walking in a park.
- ElenaMateo, ¿podemos tomarse de la mano?Mateo, can we hold hands?
- MateoClaro, Elena, me encantaría.Of course, Elena, I would love to.
- ElenaMe siento muy feliz así.I feel very happy like this.
- MateoYo también, me gusta mucho.Me too, I like it a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, la, mano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
