tomar
/toˈmaɾ/
The English phrase 'take' is translated into Spanish as tomar.
Tomar is used when you are taking an object or a vehicle. It is also frequently used to mean 'to drink' or 'to consume', such as in the phrase tomar café (to have coffee).
Which one should you use?
While tomar is used for taking an object or a vehicle, use llevar if you mean 'to take something from one place to another' in the sense of carrying or transporting it.
How do you pronounce it?
/toˈmaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use tomar to mean 'taking a person somewhere' (for example, 'I'll take you to the park'). In Spanish, you should use llevar when referring to people.
Did you know?
- The phrase tomar el pelo literally means 'to take the hair' but is actually an idiom meaning 'to pull someone's leg' or tease them.
- In many Latin American countries, the phrase tomar used alone without an object often implies drinking alcohol rather than just water or juice.
- Although tomar is a common verb, it is etymologically distinct from the English 'take', which comes from Old Norse, making them false cognates in terms of origin.
Examples in context
- Voy a tomar un baño.I'm going to take a bath.This sentence shows the use of tomar for taking a bath.Tatoeba #6626650 by UsuarioX, translation #2393 by CK
- Lo tomaré por un sí.I take it that means yes.Tatoeba #7546590 by arh, translation #2407169 by CK
- Puedes tomar un taxi.You can take a taxi.This sentence demonstrates using tomar for a vehicle like a taxi.Tatoeba #4563200 by ecl1, translation #4563337 by robbieheslop
- Lleve estos documentos al jefe de departamento.Take these documents to the department head.
- Voy a llevar el pastel a la fiesta.I'm going to take the cake to the party.
- Es importante tomar las decisiones correctas.It's important to make the right decisions.
- Por favor, tome el billete del cajón.Please, take the ticket from the drawer.
- Debes tomar una muestra del líquido para el análisis.You should take a sample of the liquid for analysis.
- ¡Agarra las llaves y salgamos!Grab the keys and let's go!
- Agárrame eso del estante, por favor.Take that from the shelf, please.
- Me pillé una camisa nueva en la tienda.I took/grabbed a new shirt at the store.
- Pilla tu abrigo antes de que salgamos.Take/grab your coat before we leave.
- 354 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are at a cafe.
- Lucía¿Qué vas a tomar, Daniel?What are you going to have, Daniel?
- DanielVoy a tomar un café solo.I'm going to have a black coffee.
- LucíaYo quiero tomar un té verde.I want to have a green tea.
- DanielPerfecto, pidamos ahora.Perfect, let's order now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tomar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tomar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
