vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Jugar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to play", and "tocar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to touch". Learn more about the difference between "jugar" and "tocar" below.
jugar(
hoo
-
gahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to gamble)
a. to bet
Fue un error jugar todo mi dinero en un solo caballo.It was a mistake to bet all my money on one horse.
7. (to perform)
a. to play
Nuestra situación económica jugó un papel muy importante en la decisión de vender la casa.Our financial situation played a very important role in the decision to sell the house.
8. (to participate in a game) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
jugarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
9. (to gamble)
b. to wager
Me puse furiosa cuando me enteré que mi novio se había jugado nuestro depósito en una apuesta.I was furious when I found out my boyfriend had wagered our deposit on a bet.
c. to risk
No voy a jugarme todos los ahorros en una idea disparatada así.I'm not going to risk all my savings on a hare-brained idea like that.
d. to stake
¿Cuánto estás dispuesto a jugarte en el resultado de las elecciones?How much are you prepared to stake on the outcome of the election?
tocar(
toh
-
kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to feel)
a. to touch
Puedes saber si tu bebé tiene fiebre tocando su frente.You can tell if your baby has a fever by touching her forehead.
5. (to broach)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
8. (to chime)
a. to ring
Las campanas de la iglesia tocan todos los domingos para llamar a los fieles a misa.The church bells ring every Sunday to call the faithful to mass.
9. (to tap)
a. to knock
Ana, alguien está tocando a la puerta. ¿Puedes ir a ver quién es, por favor? Yo estoy en la ducha.Ana, there's someone knocking at the door. Can you please go see who it is? I'm in the shower.
10. (to secure)
a. to win
No te lo vas a creer, pero nos ha tocado la lotería.You won't believe it, but we've won the lottery.
a. to be someone's turn
¿Quién va a lavar los platos? - Te toca a ti.Who's going to do the dishes? - It's your turn.
12. (to need to)
a. to have to
Mañana toca hacer la declaración de la renta. ¡Lo odio!I have to do my tax return tomorrow. I hate it!
tocarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to touch each other
Solo nos tocamos para estrecharnos la mano.We don't touch each other unless it's to shake hands.
