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"Tocar el timbre" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to ring the bell", and "tocar a la puerta" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to knock on the door". Learn more about the difference between "tocar el timbre" and "tocar a la puerta" below.
tocar el timbre(
toh
-
kahr
ehl
teem
-
breh
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to ring the bell
Enseñe a sus niños a tocar el timbre de la bicicleta cuando sea necesario.Teach your children to ring the bell of their bicycles whenever it's necessary.
tocar a la puerta(
toh
-
kahr
ah
lah
pwehr
-
tah
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to knock on the door
¡Despiértate! Alguien está tocando a la puerta.Wake up! Somebody is knocking on the door.