tocar un instrumento
/tokaɾ un instɾumento/from spelling rules
To play an instrument in Spanish is tocar un instrumento.
This phrase is used to describe the act of producing musical sounds using a musical instrument.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb tocar literally means to touch.
Which one should you use?
Spanish distinguishes between types of 'playing'. Use tocar for musical instruments and jugar for sports or games.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tocar is conjugated normally in the present tense, such as toco, tocas or toca.
How do you pronounce it?
/tokaɾ un instɾumento/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use jugar when talking about musical instruments. Instead, use tocar.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish dialects, the word tocar can also mean 'to be someone's responsibility' or 'to be one's turn', such as in the phrase me toca tocar el piano.
- If you say tocar la lotería, you are not playing an instrument, but rather 'hitting' or 'winning' the lottery.
- The word instrumento shares the same Latin root as the English word 'instruction', as both stem from the concept of a tool or means to achieve something.
Examples in context
- Yo toco el piano.I play the piano
- Ellos tocan la guitarra.They play the guitar
- Ella toca el violín.She plays the violin
- Él toca el piano clásico.He plays classical piano
- Nosotros tocamos el piano de cola.We play the grand piano
- Toco la guitarra.I play the guitar.
- Quiero aprender a tocar un instrumento.I want to learn to play an instrument.
- Él sabe tocar un instrumento muy bien.He knows how to play an instrument very well.
- ¿Es difícil tocar un instrumento?Is it difficult to play an instrument?
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- Daniel¿Sabes tocar un instrumento, María?Do you know how to play an instrument, María?
- MaríaSí, yo toco un instrumento, la guitarra.Yes, I play an instrument, the guitar.
- Daniel¡Qué bien! Yo no sé tocar un instrumento.That's great! I don't know how to play an instrument.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, es divertido.Don't worry, it is fun.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries instrumento, tocar, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
