verb

tocar

play · turn · touch

Poner las manos o los dedos sobre algo o alguien, generalmente para sentir o hacer sonar un instrumento.

Definition & meaning

The verb tocar has several distinct meanings depending on the context in which it is used:

To touch: To make physical contact with an object or person using the hands or another part of the body.
To play (an instrument): To perform music on a musical instrument.
To knock/ring: To strike a door (knocking) or press a button to produce sound (ringing a doorbell or horn).
To be one's turn: To indicate that it is someone's turn to do something or that something is assigned to them by chance or destiny.
To concern/affect: To relate to or have an impact on a specific person or subject.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: tocar is a regular -ar verb. However, it undergoes a spelling change in the first person singular preterite tense to maintain the "k" sound: toqué. It is a transitive verb in most contexts, though it can function intransitively when referring to a turn or an assignment.

Origin: The word originates from the Vulgar Latin toccare, which was an onomatopoeic term imitating the sound of a light strike or tap.