tócate los dedos de los pies
/tokate los dedos de los pjes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "touch your toes" is translated into Spanish as tócate los dedos de los pies.
What does it mean word for word?
The component los dedos de los pies literally translates to "the fingers of the feet", because Spanish uses the word dedos to refer to both fingers and toes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain contexts in Spain, you may encounter the phrase Dobla la espalda y toca los dedos de los pies, which means "bend your back and touch your toes".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tócate los dedos de los pies uses the informal imperative (tú) and includes the reflexive pronoun te attached to the verb.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the possessive adjective tus (your) instead of the definite article los (the) when referring to body parts in Spanish. You should use los dedos de los pies instead of tus dedos de los pies.
Did you know?
- The word dedos comes from the Latin digitus, which is also the root of the English word 'digit' used for numbers.
- The verb tocar can also mean 'to play' an instrument, so in a very strange context, tocar los pies could jokingly be interpreted as 'playing the feet' like a musical instrument.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, physical exercise commands like tócate los dedos de los pies are often given using the formal usted form in gym or clinic settings.
Examples in context
- Por favor, toque sus dedos de los pies antes de realizar los ejercicios de estiramiento.Please touch your toes before doing stretching exercises.
- Primero, tócate los dedos de los pies.First, touch your toes.
- Baja despacio y tócate los dedos de los pies.Go down slowly and touch your toes.
Example conversation
A yoga instructor is guiding a student through a routine.
- JavierMaría, incorpórate y tócate los dedos de los pies.María, stand up and touch your toes.
- MaríaNo llego muy bien, Javier.I can't quite reach, Javier.
- JavierEstá bien, no te esfuerces demasiado.That's fine, don't overexert yourself.
- MaríaGracias por la paciencia.Thank you for your patience.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
