tocar la guitarra
/tokaɾ la ɡitara/from spelling rules
To play the guitar in Spanish is tocar la guitarra.
This phrase is used to describe the act of producing music by plucking or strumming the strings of a guitar.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb tocar literally means 'to touch', which reflects the physical contact required to play a stringed instrument.
Which one should you use?
English speakers often mistakenly use jugar when they mean to play a musical instrument. However, jugar is only used for playing games or sports. You must use tocar for instruments.
How does it change in a sentence?
In English, you can say 'play guitar' without an article, but in Spanish you almost always include the definite article la before guitarra.
How do you pronounce it?
/tokaɾ la ɡitara/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying jugar la guitarra as a direct translation of 'play the guitar', as this is grammatically incorrect in Spanish.
Did you know?
- Beyond music, tocar is used in Spanish to indicate whose turn it is to do something, such as saying 'it is my turn' by using me toca.
- The verb tocar used in this phrase has an unexpected history linked to fashion, as it shares its origin with the word for a 'headscarf' or 'wimple'.
- The verb tocar can describe a ship arriving at a dock or hitting a specific point, meaning 'to touch' or 'to reach'.
Examples in context
- Sabe tocar la guitarra.He is able to play the guitar.This sentence demonstrates how to express someone's ability to use the phrase tocar la guitarra.Tatoeba #1131072 by Shishir, translation #289619 by CK
- No sé tocar la guitarra.I can't play the guitar.This sentence shows how to express an inability to use the phrase tocar la guitarra.Tatoeba #13705342 by ecorralest101, translation #6270948 by CK
- Él puede tocar la guitarra.He can play the guitar.This sentence demonstrates how to express that someone is able to use the phrase tocar la guitarra.Tatoeba #3246487 by cueyayotl, translation #1173652 by CK
- ¿Toca usted la guitarra?Do you play the guitar?
- ¿Sabes tocar la guitarra?Do you know how to play the guitar?
- Sí, sé tocar la guitarra.Yes, I know how to play the guitar.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about their hobbies.
- AlejandroMe gusta mucho tocar la guitarra.I really like to play the guitar.
- María¡Qué bien! Yo quiero aprender a tocar la guitarra.That's great! I want to learn to play the guitar.
- AlejandroPuedo enseñarte a tocar la guitarra el sábado.I can teach you to play the guitar on Saturday.
- MaríaMuchas gracias, Alejandro.Thank you very much, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guitarra, la, tocar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
