tomar una clase
/tomaɾ una klase/from spelling rules
To take a class in Spanish is tomar una clase.
Tomar una clase is a common way to express the idea of enrolling in and attending a course of study. In more academic contexts, especially in Latin America, you may encounter the phrase cursar una materia to describe the formal process of being enrolled in a course or subject.
Which one should you use?
There is an important distinction between being the student and being the teacher: while tomar una clase means to be the student, dar una clase is used to mean teaching or giving a class.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the verb cursar is frequently used in academic settings to describe taking a subject or course.
Did you know?
- While tomar means 'to take' in the context of a class, it is also the primary word for 'to drink' in many Latin American countries.
- The word 'clase' shares its DNA with the Latin 'classis', which originally referred to a division of the people, such as a social class or a fleet of ships. This connects your classroom experience to ancient social stratifications.
- In Spain, you are more likely to hear asistir a clase to describe the act of attending, whereas tomar una clase is much more characteristic of Latin American Spanish.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría tomar una clase de español en la universidad.I would like to take a Spanish class at the university.
- Me voy a inscribir en un curso de cocina en línea.I am going to enroll in an online cooking course.
- Voy a hacer un curso de fotografía este verano.I'm going to take a photography course this summer.
- María da clases de piano. Puedes aprender con ella.María teaches piano, you can take classes with her.
- Estoy estudiando baile en una escuela privada.I'm taking dance classes at a private school.
- Voy a tomar una clase de cocina.I am going to take a cooking class.
- Quiero tomar una clase de cocina.I want to take a cooking class.
- Ella va a tomar una clase de yoga.She is going to take a yoga class.
- ¿Te gustaría tomar una clase de piano conmigo?Would you like to take a piano class with me?
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing their university schedules.
- MateoHola Lucía, ¿vas a tomar una clase de arte?Hi Lucía, are you going to take an art class?
- LucíaSí, Mateo, me interesa mucho pintar.Yes, Mateo, I am very interested in painting.
- MateoYo también quiero tomar una clase creativa.I also want to take a creative class.
- Lucía¡Entonces podemos inscribirnos juntos!Then we can enroll together!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clase, tomar, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
