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"Manejar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to handle", and "tocar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to touch". Learn more about the difference between "manejar" and "tocar" below.
manejar(
mah
-
neh
-
hahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to use
Hay que saber cómo manejar los datos para sacarles máximo provecho.You need to know how to use the data to get the most out of it.
c. to operate
¿Has aprendido a manejar la nueva maquinaria?Have you learned how to operate the new machinery?
2. (to control)
a. to handle
Hay que manejar la situación con mucho tacto.We need to handle the situation very tactfully.
3. (to direct)
4. (to exploit)
a. to manipulate
El director de la empresa maneja a sus empleados como quiere.The company director manipulates his staff at will.
5. (automobile) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to drive
Mi padre me deja manejar su carro los fines de semana.My dad lets me drive his car on weekends.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (automobile) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
manejarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
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.
