Meaning and behavior
What does tocar mean?
Tocar means to touch. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to play (a musical instrument); to be someone's time or turn, or time to do something.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- tocar
- Gerund
- tocando
- Past participle
- tocado
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the preterite.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of tocar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Tocar |
|---|---|
| yo | toco |
| tú | tocas |
| él / ella / usted | toca |
| nosotros / nosotras | tocamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tocáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tocan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of tocar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Tocar |
|---|---|
| yo | toqué |
| tú | tocaste |
| él / ella / usted | tocó |
| nosotros / nosotras | tocamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tocasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tocaron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of tocar, or for background information.
| Subject | Tocar |
|---|---|
| yo | tocaba |
| tú | tocabas |
| él / ella / usted | tocaba |
| nosotros / nosotras | tocábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tocabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tocaban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of tocar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Tocar |
|---|---|
| yo | tocaré |
| tú | tocarás |
| él / ella / usted | tocará |
| nosotros / nosotras | tocaremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tocaréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tocarán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Tocar |
|---|---|
| yo | toque |
| tú | toques |
| él / ella / usted | toque |
| nosotros / nosotras | toquemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | toquéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | toquen |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of tocar that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Tocar |
|---|---|
| tú | toca |
| usted | toque |
| nosotros / nosotras | toquemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tocad |
| ustedes | toquen |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of tocar.
| Subject | Tocar |
|---|---|
| tú | no toques |
| usted | no toque |
| nosotros / nosotras | no toquemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no toquéis |
| ustedes | no toquen |
Verified context
Examples with tocar
Yo no toco el piano.
I do not play the piano.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRYo toco en una banda.
I play in a band.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRPor favor no me toquen.
Please don't touch me.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Tocar FAQ
What does tocar mean?
Tocar means to touch.
Is tocar regular or irregular?
Tocar is a irregular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of tocar?
The gerund of tocar is tocando.
What is the past participle of tocar?
The past participle of tocar is tocado.
How is tocar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is toco, tocas, toca, tocamos, tocan.
How is tocar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is toqué, tocaste, tocó, tocamos, tocaron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.