Tocar Vs. Tocarse

Question

I want to say the music touches my soul. Would it be......La musica me toca el alma o La musica toca mi alma? What is the difference between tocar y tocarse??

Answer 1

Rodney, although it is true that you have to be careful, it isn't that critical either. In any language stuff like that can be given, but it just take a dirty mind to "twist" any real accepted idiom in any language, even with an accent!

I was asked if I could do something at that moment, and I answered "I can't" but with my accent and all they heard "I c*nt"... and everybody was laughing.

I learned what I had "said" something totally out of context, like three years later!

Great anecdote and insight, Chileno. Thanks for sharing! - francobollo, Jun 27, 2013

you're welcome, if it happened to me, why not to others, uh? - chileno, Jun 27, 2013

Answer 2

According to Rae tocarse can mean either ....

(De toca). 1. tr. Peinar el cabello, componerlo con cintas, lazos y otros adornos. U. m. c. prnl. 2. prnl. Cubrirse la cabeza con gorra, sombrero, mantilla, pañuelo, etc.

1. to do yourself up

2. Put a hat on

But like Franco said tocar can also be used with the indirect object pronouns when something touches or affects you ...

Me toca la música. La música me toca el alma.

or when it's your turn or responsibility to do something

Me toca cuidar a los niños.

It's my turn to look after the kids.

Te toca. It's your turn.

Tocar used to mean it is your turn is a great example, which I did not even consider. Great job! - francobollo, Jun 27, 2013

Answer 3

La música me toca el alma.

Tocar means to touch but it's a transitive verb.

Tocarse can be both reflexive (Me toco la punta de la nariz con la lengua) or pronominal (Tus palabras me tocan la fibra del alma).

Answer 4

Be careful with tocarse.

Read this, it's a good explanation on how to use tocar and tocarse:

http://vocabat.com/2011/10/28/¿me-toca-o-me-toco/