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tomar means to take / to drink — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 22, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

tomar

verb • /[toh-MAR]/

to take / to drink

Example:

Voy a tomar un café antes de salir.

I'm going to have a coffee before leaving.

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🧠 What does tomar mean?

Tomar is a very common Spanish verb with the general meaning of "to take." However, it's important to understand its nuances. It's frequently used for consuming food and drinks, where it translates to "to drink" or "to eat/have." It can also mean "to take" in the sense of taking transportation, taking a photo, or taking time to do something. Mastering this versatile verb will greatly enhance your conversational Spanish.

📚 Extra examples

  • Voy a tomar un café.
    I'm going to have a coffee.
  • Tomamos el autobús a la ciudad.
    We took the bus to the city.
  • Tomé muchas fotos en el viaje.
    I took a lot of pictures on the trip.
  • Me tomé un día libre.
    I took a day off.
  • Ella toma su tiempo para aprender español.
    She takes her time to learn Spanish.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to take / to drink' in Spanish?
The Spanish verb 'tomar' covers both 'to take' and 'to drink,' depending on the context.
How do you pronounce 'tomar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced toh-MAHR, with the emphasis on the second syllable.
How do you use 'tomar' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: Quiero tomar agua (I want to drink water). Tomamos el tren (We took the train).
What is the English translation of 'tomar'?
Tomar translates to 'to take' or 'to drink/have' in English, depending on the situation.
Does 'tomar' change for gender or number?
Yes, like all Spanish verbs, 'tomar' conjugates according to the subject pronoun (yo tomo, tú tomas, él/ella/usted toma, nosotros/nosotras tomamos, vosotros/vosotras tomáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes toman).
Is 'tomar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'tomar' is extremely common and used in a wide variety of everyday conversations.
Does 'tomar' have slang or double meanings?
While generally straightforward, 'tomar' can have some colloquial uses. For instance, 'tomar algo' can mean 'to have a drink' (alcoholic or not) in a social context.
Is 'tomar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
Generally, the usage is consistent, but some regional variations in slang or colloquialisms might exist. For example, taking a photo might be expressed differently with a regionalism.
How do you conjugate 'tomar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation of 'tomar': Yo tomo Tú tomas Él/Ella/Usted toma Nosotros/Nosotras tomamos Vosotros/Vosotras tomáis Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes toman

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tomar"

Synonyms: beber, coger, agarrar

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'tomar' originates from the Latin word 'tomāre,' which also means 'to take.'

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