tocar un instrumento
/tokaɾ un instɾumento/from spelling rules
To play an instrument in Spanish is to tocar un instrumento.
The phrase is used to describe the act of producing musical sounds from a musical instrument. While tocar un instrumento is the standard way to express this, you may also encounter puntear, which specifically means to pluck an instrument.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb tocar literally means to touch, reflecting the physical contact required to play many instruments.
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, there is a distinction between types of play. Use tocar when referring to musical instruments, whereas jugar is used for playing games or sports.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tocar is a regular -ar verb. For example, in the first-person singular present tense, toco un instrumento means "I play an instrument".
How do you pronounce it?
/tokaɾ un instɾumento/
What mistakes should you avoid?
A common error for English speakers is to say jugar un instrumento. You should avoid using jugar for music, as it is reserved for games and sports. Use tocar instead.
Did you know?
- The verb tocar can also mean 'to be one's turn' in a game or sequence. For example, me toca means 'it is my turn'.
- While tocar is used for instruments, the word tocar can also mean 'to affect' or 'to move' someone emotionally, as in 'touching a heart'.
- In some contexts, tocar is used to describe the act of ringing a doorbell or knocking on a door, such as tocar la puerta.
Examples in context
- ¿Toca usted algún instrumento?Do you play any instrument?
- Ella ejecuta el violínShe plays the violin
- Él le da al trombónHe plays the trombone
- El guitarrista rasga las cuerdasThe guitarist strums the strings
- Yo toco el piano.I play the piano.
- Nosotros tocamos la guitarra.We play the guitar.
- Él toca la batería.He plays the drums.
- ¿Tocas el violín?Do you play the violin?
- Mi hermano está aprendiendo a tocar la guitarra eléctrica.My brother is learning to play the electric guitar.
- Ella toca la guitarra muy bien.She plays the guitar very well.
- Él quiere tocar un instrumento en la banda.He wants to play an instrument in the band.
- ¿Sabes tocar un instrumento?Do you know how to play an instrument?
- Ella no sabe tocar un instrumento musical.She does not know how to play a musical instrument.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their hobbies.
- Elena¿Puedes tocar un instrumento, Alejandro?Can you play an instrument, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, toco la guitarra desde niño.Yes, I have played the guitar since I was a child.
- Elena¡Qué bien! Yo no sé tocar nada.That's great! I don't know how to play anything.
- AlejandroPuedo enseñarte si tienes tiempo.I can teach you if you have time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
