tocar
/toˈkaɾ/
Toot in Spanish is translated as tocar. Wiktionary also lists [hacer] sonar.
Meaning: to cause a horn or whistle to produce a noise (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tocar | /toˈkaɾ/ |
| [hacer] sonar |
The verb refers to causing a horn or a whistle to produce a noise. You can also use the related noun silbato to refer to the noise of a horn or whistle. In an informal and playful context, one might use Pedorreta.
Which one should you use?
While tocar can be used to mean toot when referring to a horn, its most common meanings are to play an instrument or to touch something. Alternatively, the phrase [hacer] sonar is often a more natural way to express the action of making a horn or whistle produce a sound. If you are specifically talking about the horn of a car, the object is often called el claxon.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/toˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb tocar can mean 'to be one's turn' in a game or sequence, such as saying 'it is my turn' by using me toca.
- Using Pedorreta to describe a toot is a playful reference to the word pedo, which means 'fart' in Spanish.
- The word tocar is inherited from the Vulgar Latin *toccāre, which is believed to have an onomatopoeic origin, mimicking the sound of a knock or a tap.
Examples in context
- Anoche, mi amigo soltó una pedorreta mientras veíamos una película en el cine.Last night, my friend let out a toot while we were watching a movie at the theater.
- Tocó el silbato.He/she blew the whistle.
- El conductor empezó a tocar el claxon.The driver started to toot the horn.
- ¿Puedes tocar el silbato para avisar?Can you toot the whistle to warn us?
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are driving in heavy traffic.
- JavierEse coche no nos deja pasar.That car is not letting us pass.
- ElenaVoy a tocar la bocina para avisarle.I am going to toot the horn to warn him.
- JavierSí, toca la bocina con fuerza.Yes, toot the horn loudly.
- ElenaYa lo hice, pero no me hizo caso.I already did, but he didn't pay attention to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toot” translations and entries tocar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sonar, tocar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
