tocar
/toˈkaɾ/
To touch in Spanish is tocar.
The verb tocar refers to the physical act of putting your hand or another part of your body on something. It is also polysemous, meaning it is used to express the act of playing a musical instrument.
Which one should you use?
While tocar is the general term for physical contact or playing music, other words may be more specific. Palpar is used for medical or diagnostic-style touching, while toquetear implies fidgeting or toying with something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some South American countries, particularly Chile, the phrase hacer cariño is used to mean 'to pet' or 'to caress'.
How does it change in a sentence?
tocar is a regular -ar verb in the present indicative tense. Its forms are tocas, toca, tocamos, tocáis and tocan.
How do you pronounce it?
/toˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb tocar is used to describe whose turn it is in a game or activity, such as saying me toca for 'it is my turn'.
- The word tocar likely comes from the Vulgar Latin '*toccāre', which may have originated as an onomatopoeic sound representing a striking or tapping motion.
- In some contexts, tocar is used to describe the act of ringing a doorbell or knocking on a door, as in tocar el timbre.
Examples in context
- Basta con tocar el botón.You have only to touch the button.This sentence shows the use of tocar to indicate the action of touching a button.Tatoeba #1433250 by marcelostockle, translation #16524 by dougwalkerfan2002wow
- Te dije que no me tocaras.I told you not to touch me.This sentence uses tocar in the context of not touching a person.Tatoeba #4387844 by saverius, translation #2544400 by CK
- Tom no quería que yo lo tocara.Tom didn't want me to touch him.This sentence uses tocar to express a desire regarding physical contact.Tatoeba #2015411 by marcelostockle, translation #2014745 by CK
- Por favor, no toque el artefacto.Please, do not touch the artifact.
- El médico palpa el área afectada en busca de anomalías.The doctor touches the affected area in search of anomalies.
- Mi hermano menor siempre toquetea los botones del control remoto.My younger brother always touches the buttons on the remote control.
- Palpa la tela y verás qué suave es.Touch the fabric and you will see how soft it is.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are at a clothing store.
- DanielMaría, mira este vestido de seda.María, look at this silk dress.
- MaríaEs precioso, ¿puedo tocar la tela?It is beautiful, can I touch the fabric?
- DanielSí, puedes tocarla sin problemas.Yes, you can touch it without any problems.
- MaríaGracias, Daniel, es muy suave.Thanks, Daniel, it is very soft.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tocar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tocar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
