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"Palpar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to touch", and "tocar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to touch". Learn more about the difference between "palpar" and "tocar" below.
palpar(
pahl
-
pahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to finger)
a. to feel one's way around
Cuando se fue la luz, palpé la cocina hasta encontrar una vela.When the lights went out, I felt my way around the kitchen until I found a candle.
a. to feel
Aunque no esté presente en el partido, puedo palpar la energía del equipo.Even though I'm not at the game, I can feel the energy of the team.
4. (medicine)
palparse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to feel
Podía palparse el descontento entre la gente.You could feel the discontent of the people.
b. to be palpable
El temor se palpa en las calles desde los atentados.The fear on the streets since the bombings has been palpable.
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.
