tomar
/toˈmaɾ/
The Spanish phrase for 'take' is tomar.
Tomar is used to express getting hold of something or moving it from one place to another. It is also frequently used to mean 'to have' or 'to consume' when referring to food or drinks, such as having a coffee.
Which one should you use?
While tomar is used for grabbing or taking something, you should use other verbs depending on the specific English sense of 'take'. Use llevar if you mean to carry or transport something from one place to another. Use sacar if 'take' implies removing or taking something out, and use tardar if 'take' refers to the amount of time required to do something.
How does it change in a sentence?
Tomar is a regular -ar verb. This means its present subjunctive and formal imperative forms follow the standard pattern, such as tome (take/you take).
How do you pronounce it?
/toˈmaɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase tomar el pelo, which literally translates to 'to take the hair', is a common idiom meaning 'to pull someone's leg' or to tease them.
- In many Spanish speaking countries, tomar is the standard way to say 'to drink alcohol'. While it literally means 'to take', using it in a social context often implies drinking spirits or wine.
- While English speakers 'take' a shower, a Spanish speaker will often say they are 'giving themselves' a shower using the reflexive construction darse una ducha.
Examples in context
- Voy a tomar un baño.I'm going to take a bath.This sentence shows how to use tomar for taking a bath.Tatoeba #6626650 by UsuarioX, translation #2393 by CK
- Lo tomaré por un sí.I take it that means yes.This sentence demonstrates a figurative use of tomar.Tatoeba #7546590 by arh, translation #2407169 by CK
- Puedes tomar un taxi.You can take a taxi.This sentence illustrates using tomar in the context of a taxi.Tatoeba #4563200 by ecl1, translation #4563337 by robbieheslop
- Es importante tomar medicina después de comer.It is important to take medicine after eating.
- Mañana voy a tomar una clase de cocina.Tomorrow, I am going to take a cooking class.
- Agárrame la mano mientras cruzamos la calle.Hold my hand while we cross the street.
- ¿Te puedes llevar esta bolsa al coche, por favor?Can you take this bag to the car, please?
- Me voy a llevar el libro prestado de la biblioteca.I'm going to borrow the book from the library.
- Tardé una hora en llegar a casa.It took me an hour to get home.
- Voy a sacar las toallas del armario.I'm going to take the towels out of the cabinet.
- ¿Me puedes llevar al aeropuerto mañana?Can you take me to the airport tomorrow?
- 354 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are in the kitchen preparing to leave.
- Lucía¿Puedes tomar las llaves de la mesa?Can you take the keys from the table?
- AlejandroSí, ya las voy a tomar.Yes, I am going to take them now.
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro. No las olvides.Thanks, Alejandro. Don't forget them.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Lucía.Don't worry, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tomar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
