If you’re learning Spanish and planning a trip to Argentina, knowing the ‘tomar’ verb conjugation is essential.
This versatile verb is used frequently in Argentine Spanish and has a variety of meanings depending on the context.
Let’s dive into how to conjugate and use this word like a true porteño.
Tomar Verb Conjugation: The Basics
First, let’s go over the basics of the tomar conjugation. This regular -AR Spanish verb follows the standard conjugation patterns in Spanish. Here’s how you conjugate “tomar” in the present tense:
En presente simple
– Yo tomo
-Tú tomas
– Vos tomás
– Él/Ella/Usted toma
– Nosotros/Nosotras tomamos
– Vosotros/Vosotras tomáis
– Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes toman
In Argentina, you’ll hear “vos tomás” more often than “tú tomas” due to the use of voseo. Remember to stress the last syllable “más” of this Spanish conjugation for ‘vos’ to sound more like a local.
Uses of Tomar in Argentine Spanish
Here are some of the most common uses of this word in Argentina.
1. To Drink: The most common use is to refer to drinking. Whether it’s coffee, wine, or mate, Argentines always use “tomar” instead of beber.
– Example: ¿Querés tomar un café conmigo? (Do you want to have a coffee with me?)
Fun fact: We also use this Spanish verb for ice cream, even though ice cream is solid. So, instead of “me como un helado”, we say “me tomo un helado”.
2. To Take: the verb tomar is also used when talking about taking something, such as a taxi, bus, or even a picture.
– Example: Vamos a tomar un taxi. (Let’s take a taxi.)
3. To Consume: In a broader sense, this verb can refer to consuming medicine.
– Example: Tenés que tomar estas pastillas. (You have to take these pills.)
4. To leave or get out of here: In Argentina, “tomátelas” means “get out of here.” If you hear someone say “me las tomo”, this means I’m leaving or I’m out of here.
This is a short form of the Argentine colloquial expression ”tomarse el palo,” which is to go away or get out of here.
We Don’t Use “Tomar” for “to Grab”
This is a common mistake I’ve heard from students: “Yo tomo mis cosas para ir al trabajo”. In the sense of “to grab”, Argentinians tend to use the verb “agarrar”: “Yo agarro mis cosas para ir al trabajo”.
Mastering the Conjugation
Let’s dive into the imperfect and preterite of tomar to describe past actions effectively.
En pretérito indefinido (Preterite)
– Yo tomé
– Vos/Tú tomaste
– Él/Ella/Usted tomó
– Nosotros/Nosotras tomamos
– Vosotros/Vosotras tomasteis
– Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes tomaron
Example sentences:
-Anoche tomé vino Malbec. (Last night I had Malbec wine).
-Ustedes tomaron cerveza. (You drank beer).
Pretérito imperfecto (Imperfect)
– Yo tomaba
– Vos/Tú tomabas
– Él/Ella/Usted tomaba
– Nosotros/Nosotras tomábamos
– Vosotros/Vosotras tomábais
– Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes tomaban
Example sentence:
-Ayer mientras tomabas mate en el auto, se te cayó la yerba. (Yesterday, while you had mate in the car, you dropped yerba).
In conversation, Argentinian people tend to use the tense futuro compuesto “ir + a + infinitive” more often than the simple future.
Futuro compuesto (Future)
– Yo voy a tomar
– Vos/Tú vas a tomar
– Él/Ella/Usted va a tomar
– Nosotros/Nosotras vamos a tomar
– Vosotros/Vosotras vais a tomar
– Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes van a tomar
Example:
-El sábado que viene vamos a tomar un taxi para ir a la granja. (Next Saturday we’ll take a taxi to get to the farm).
Practical Tips for Using Tomar in Argentina
1. Voseo: Always remember to use the vos form when conjugating the Spanish verb tomar if you want to blend in with locals.
2. Context is Key: The meaning of this word changes with context. Pay attention to how it’s used in conversations around you.
3. Practice Makes Perfect: Try using this Spanish word in different sentences. Whether you’re ordering at a café or chatting with friends, practicing will make any Spanish conjugation second nature.
Conclusion
Mastering the tomar verb conjugation is a small but significant step in becoming fluent in Argentine Spanish. From drinking mate to taking a picture, “tomar” is a versatile verb you’ll use daily. Practice these conjugations, understand the contexts, and soon you’ll be speaking like a true Argentine. ¡Suerte!
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