Using the Spanish Verb Tomar

Using the Spanish Verb Tomar To say that the Spanish verb tomar means to take isnt doing the word justice. Although it can usually be translated that way, it actually has a wide variety of meanings and is used in all sorts of expressions. Thus, like with some other common verbs, you need to pay attention to context when translating tomar. It generally isnt all that difficult figuring out what the verb means, as long as you realize that it usually conveys the idea of taking something or taking something in. What is a bit more difficult is knowing when to use it when speaking Spanish; it isnt always appropriate to use tomar when you mean to take. One quality of tomar, however, is helpful: It is one of the most common verbs that is conjugated regularly. Meanings of Tomar Here are some of common meanings of tomar with sample sentences. Note that meanings often overlap. If you choose something to eat, for example, you might translate tomar as either to choose or to eat, depending on which sounds more natural in the context. To Take Physical Possession Tomà ³ el libro y volvià ³ a su habitacià ³n. (He took the book and returned home.)Toma mi mano y camina conmigo. (Take my hand and walk with me.)Los campesinos tomaron como rehà ©n al gerente. (The farmworkers seized the manager as hostage.) To Choose Habà ­a muchas. Tomà © el azul. (There were many of them. I picked the blue one.)Mi filosofà ­a es tomar lo difà ­cil como un reto. (My philosophy is to choose what is difficult as a challenge.) To Eat or Drink Tomo cafà © como parte del desayuno en mi programa de dieta. (I drink coffee as part of breakfast for my diet)El segundo dà ­a tomaron una sopa de pollo. (The second day they had chicken soup.) To Use a Form of Transportation Tomemos un taxi. (Lets take a taxi.)Cuando tomo el metro tardo hasta 45 minutos. (When I use the subway Im as much as 45 minutes late.)No quiero tomar el autopista. (I dont want to go on the freeway.) To Take Medicine Recomendamos que tome ambas pà ­ldoras a la vez. (We recommend that you take both pills at the same time.)Es necesario que tomes medicina para combatir la infeccià ³n. (It is necessary that you take medicine to fight the infection.) To Interpret Something a Certain Way Me tomaron por loco. (They thought I was crazy. They took me for a crazy man.)La mayorà ­a de crà ­ticos se lo tomaron a broma. (Most of the critics took it as a joke.)Le tomaron por espà ­a. (They thought he was a spy.) To Adopt a Course of Action Para demostrar que el cambio era efectivo, se tomaron medidas muy drsticas. (In order to demonstrate that the change was effective, very drastic measures were taken.)Tomemos un enfoque diferente. (Lets take a different approach.)Viajar no perjudica la salud, si se toman precauciones. (Traveling isnt dangerous to your health, if precautions are taken.)Tomà © la derecha. (I turned to the right.) Using the Reflexive Tomarse The reflexive form, tomarse, is usually used with little or no change in meaning from the nonreflexive form. Sometimes tomarse refers specifically to drinking alcoholic beverages. Tà ³matelo con humor y disfruta el momento. (Take it with a sense of humor and enjoy the moment.)No se tomà ³ toda la cerveza. (He didnt drink all the beer.)Luego, me tomaba un autobà ºs a Panam. (Later, I took a bus to Panama.) Phrases Using Tomar Additionally, tomar is used in idiomatic phrases. Many of them are equivalent to English phrases using the word take. Here are some of the more common: Tomar apuntes - to take notes (an Anglicism, tomar notas, is heard in some areas).Tomar el control - to take control.Tomar (un) examen - to take a test.Tomar fotos - to take photos (sacar fotos is preferred in some areas).Tomar responsabilidad - to take responsibility.Tomar nota - to take note.Tomar parte - to take part.Tomar la pluma - to begin writing.Tomar el sol - to sunbathe.Tomar tierra - to land (said of aircraft). ¡Tà ³mate esa! - Take that! (said, for example, when hitting someone). Key Takeaways Tomar is a very common verb that carries the idea of taking, although it can be translated in many ways. It often suggests that a choice of some sort was made.Tomar is used in a variety of phrases and idioms.The reflexive form, tomarse, usually has no translatable difference in meaning than the standard form.