Usos del "tocar"
I was doing some translating for a legal office when I came across the word "tocar" used like "he tocado" and "ha tocado." I have always understood tocar as "to touch," so I was rather perplexed when this man was writing that "he had touched" the rest of his sentence which made no sense. I'm sorry that I cannot give more context, but I don't have his email with me.
Interestingly, I came across a use of tocar today that suggests in the context of using it like gustar it can mean "to be responsible for," but as you can see, "he tocado" and "me tocado" are very different.
Can anyone help me make sense of this?
Thanks, Scott
8 Answers
Well, without that context it´s tough, but I´ve seen it used figuratively a lot.
Touching on an issue, just like in English.
I´ve also seen it used for Raising an issue or concern.
Or to Cover an issue or points. We also touch on points in English, so that use isn´t too far removed from one of our uses of touch either.
It can also be something you witnessed or were figuratively struck by (while observing something) Something that impacted you. (again figuratively)
In certain countries, pertinent to the translation of 'me ha tocado' in certain contexts, there is another use of the verb tocar.
In Colombia at least, it is very common to use:
Toca más infinitivo = hay que más infinitivo
Me toca más infinitivo = tengo que más infinitivo
Toca es más infinitivo = hay que más infinitivo
Examples:
Se acabó la cerveza, toca comprar más.
Ayer me tocó ir al centro para...
Toca es pensar bien en la publicidad.
I've seen it suggested that tocar in this context be translated as to befall.
Scot said:
I think that the "struck by" explanation fits here. He was talking about someone being deported. Can you give me a more exact translation of tocar in that sense (for future reference)?
Yes, I think that's more likely. The deportation story deeply affected him.
Las imágenes me tocaron en lo más profundo. (The pictures moved o touched me deeply.)
El poema nos tocó el corazón, (The poem touched our hearts.)
One of the definitions listed in the dictionary on this site is is "to suffer, to undergo". Does that help?
I'll keep looking but here's one example I found. Added a few more.
No me ha tocado verlo en concierto.
I haven't had (gotten) a chance to see him in concert.
Lo que más me ha tocado en ese país ...
What struck me in this country ...
Jorge Ramos: "Me ha tocado ser testigo de la historia.
Jorge Ramos: "I have been a witness to history.
A mí me ha tocado trabajar en diversas comisiones a lo largo de la vida.
I have taken part in diverse commissions throughout my life.
Perhaps this lesson will help, it has a number of meanings for the verb tocar and I think your example likely fell into the last meaning; to be someones turn or responsibility.
You can use the word in a few ways. First, tocar can mean to touch, but can also mean to play.
You also talked about using he tocado, which basically means, I've played and ha tocado= He has played.
As you already know, the translations for these words has a lot to do with the context of the rest of the sentence. I don't know if this helps at all but I hope you do find your answer.
I have to do this if I want to translate this sentence in spanish can it be "yo tengo que trabajar" or "me toca trabajar"?
