vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Tocar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to touch", and "bárbaro" is a noun which is often translated as "barbarian". Learn more about the difference between "tocar" and "bárbaro" below.
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.
el bárbaro, la bárbara, bárbaro(
bahr
-
bah
-
roh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (history)
a. barbarian
Los bárbaros germánicos diezmaron a la legión romana.The Germanic barbarians decimated the Roman legion.
2. (colloquial) (brute)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
3. (history)
a. barbarian
Se construyeron murallas para ayudar a resistir las invasiones bárbaras.Walls were built to help resist barbarian invasions.
4. (fierce)
a. cruel
El bárbaro padre de la sirvienta la castigaba físicamente.The maid's cruel father beat her.
5. (brutish)
a. savage
No puedo controlar el comportamiento bárbaro de mi hijo.I can't control my son's savage behavior.
6. (colloquial) (incredible)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. tremendous
No podemos ir a navegar. ¡Se viene una tormenta bárbara!We can't go sailing. There's a tremendous storm coming!
b. fantastic
Martín es un tipo bárbaro. Siempre se ofrece a ayudar.Martin is a fantastic guy. He's always willing to help.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
7. (colloquial) (wonderful)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. amazing
Ese vestido negro te queda bárbaro.That black dress looks amazing on you.
En el viaje nos fue bárbaro.We had a fantastic trip.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
8. (colloquial) (used to express approval) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. OK (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Entonces nos vemos mañana a las cinco. - ¡Bárbaro!See you tomorrow at five then. - OK!
b. cool (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Ya compré los boletos para el concierto. - ¡Bárbaro!I already bought the tickets to the concert. - Cool!
