"tómalo" and "tómatelo"

Question

What is the difference between "tómalo" and "tómatelo"?

Also, i have heard both "descansa" and " descansate" are correct. Any other examples? what's the difference?

Why does having a "te" change its meaning?

how do i know when i need to use "te" and when not?

Answer 1

When the verb is not reflexive we can add a personal pronoun to create emphasis. The translations into English will vary depending on the verb, but the additional personal pronoun indicates who is affected by the action.

Tómalo .... Take it

Tómatelo ... Take it with you

In the case of "descansar", this verb is mostly used as intrancient, so it can be used with or without the personal pronoun, which just makes it more personal.

Thanks, Julian! So, the addition of a personal pronoun is to add emphasis and make it more personal? btw, what does "intrancient" mean? - sunflowerhk, Jun 30, 2016

Also, "tómalo con calma" or "tómatelo con calma"? can you say both? is "tómatelo con calma" adding emphasis? - sunflowerhk, Jun 30, 2016

I´m sorry Sunflower, "Intransitive" My spelling is terrible - a verb that doesn´t need to act on a direct object. Yes and the emphasis is added to "you" in this case - 005faa61, Jun 30, 2016

Thank you, Julian. Your answer has really helped me solved this long-standing problem of mine :D - sunflowerhk, Jul 1, 2016

Answer 2

"toma" is the imperative form of the verb tomar.

"te" is a pronoun for a complement without preposition of the second person singular (tú).

Therefore, toma or tómate are similar in meaning.

"lo" is a pronoun for the direct object (for a masculine, singular noun)

Therefore, tómalo or tómatelo are the corresponding forms of toma + lo or tómate + lo.

Thank you, Luis - sunflowerhk, Jul 1, 2016

Answer 3

Regarding "descánsate" This is a reflexive usage, "Relax yourself."

What's the difference between "descansa" and "descansate"? - sunflowerhk, Jun 30, 2016

Answer 4

"tómalo" is used when you say that someone can grab something. "Me prestas tu libro, claro, tómalo de mi mochila". "tómatelo" is used as an order, a command. "No quiero tomar mi medicina madre, cállate y tómatela"

Thank you. What about the difference between "descansa" and "descansate"? - sunflowerhk, Jun 30, 2016

Answer 5

Tenga cuidado no confundirlo con la tomatillo desde Ecuador..

Be careful not to confuse it with the tomatillo from Ecuador.

Cool I've never tried tomatillos! :D - sunflowerhk, Jul 1, 2016

Answer 6

"You say you don't like it. You say you haven't tried it. Taste it, will ya."

"Taste it, will ya". I think that's the essence of "Tómatelo (la)". Now, that is emphasis.

That's funny :) thanks - sunflowerhk, Jul 1, 2016