tocar a la puerta
/tokaɾ a la pweɾta/from spelling rules
To knock on the door in Spanish is tocar a la puerta.
The phrase is used when you hit a door with your knuckles to get someone's attention or to ask for permission to enter. While the verb tocar can also mean 'to play' an instrument, when used in the context of a door, it specifically means to knock.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tocar a la puerta literally means 'to touch/hit at the door'. The verb tocar means 'to touch' or 'to hit', and a la puerta means 'at the door'.
Which one should you use?
You can also express this action using the phrase llamar a la puerta, which literally translates to 'to call at the door'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tokaɾ a la pweɾta/
Did you know?
- The verb tocar can also be used to say whose turn it is in a game, such as me toca, meaning 'it is my turn'.
- The word puerta shares its distant ancestry with the English word 'port', through the Latin 'porta', which originally referred to a gate or entrance.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, knocking is considered too aggressive or formal for close friends and family, who might simply call out or enter without knocking.
Examples in context
- Por favor, llame a la puerta antes de entrarPlease knock on the door before entering
- ¡Toca la puerta más fuerte si no nos escuchan!Knock on the door louder if they can't hear us!
- Alguien está tocando a la puerta.Someone is knocking on the door.
- Debes tocar a la puerta antes de entrar.You should knock on the door before entering.
- Escuché a alguien tocar a la puerta.I heard someone knock on the door.
Example conversation
Alejandro is visiting Sofía at her apartment.
- AlejandroVoy a tocar a la puerta de Sofía.I am going to knock on Sofía's door.
- Sofía¡Hola, Alejandro! Pasa, por favor.Hello, Alejandro! Come in, please.
- AlejandroGracias, ¿cómo estás?Thanks, how are you?
- SofíaMuy bien, gracias por venir.Very well, thanks for coming.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, la, puerta, tocar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
