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"Tomar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take", and "agarrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to grab". Learn more about the difference between "tomar" and "agarrar" below.
tomar(
toh
-
mahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to grab)
2. (to consume)
a. to take (medication)
Él tiene que tomar sus medicamentos dos veces al día.He has to take his medication twice a day.
3. (to ride)
4. (to seize)
5. (to absorb)
a. to get
Sal y toma un poco de aire fresco.Go out and get some fresh air.
Deja de jugar tantos videojuegos y sal a tomar el sol.Stop playing so many video games and go out and get some sun.
a. to drink
Tienes que tomar mucha agua en estos días tan calurosos.You have to drink a lot of water on such hot days.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
8. (to consume alcohol) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to drink
¿Quieres una copa de vino? - Gracias, pero no tomo.Would you like a glass of wine? - Thanks, but I don't drink.
tomarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
10. (to react)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No te lo tomes a pecho, pero no me gusta tu corte de pelo.Don't take it to heart, but I don't like your haircut.
¿Cómo se lo tomó?How did he take it?
11. (to consume)
12. (to get drunk)
agarrar(
ah
-
gah
-
rrahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to grab
Lo agarró de la mano y siguieron por el camino de baldosas amarillas.She grabbed him by the hand, and they continued down the yellow-brick road.
c. to take hold of
El caballero agarró la espada y remató al dragón.The knight took hold of the sword and finished off the dragon.
d. to grip (with force)
Hay que agarrar bien el mango del martillo.You have to really grip the handle of the hammer.
e. to grasp (with force)
Extendió la mano para agarrar el Santo Grial.She reached out to grasp the Holy Grail.
f. to seize (by force)
La policía agarró las armas que encontraron en la casa.The police seized the arms they found in the house.
i. to hold
Agarraba una espada y me dijo que le entregara todo el oro que tuviera.He was holding a sword and told me to give him all the gold I had.
2. (to capture)
a. to catch
La gente del pueblo montaron en sus caballos y se marcharon para agarrar al ladrón.The townspeople got on their horses and left to catch the thief.
a. to get hold of
Si podemos agarrar el tesoro, seremos ricos.If we can get hold of the treasure, we'll be rich.
a. to get
Hablo bien español, pero a veces no agarro los chistes que cuenta la gente.I speak Spanish well, but sometimes I don't get the jokes that people tell.
5. (colloquial) (to become sick with)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to catch
El profesor le agarró con una chuleta en la manga.The teacher caught him with a cheat-sheet in his sleeve.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
8. (to go) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to take
Agarra por la primera calle y sube desde allí.Take the first right, and then go up from there.
b. to head
La familia agarró para el campo para pasar un día tranquilo allí.The family headed for the country to spend a relaxing day there.
c. to up (colloquial) (used with another verb)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Si no tratas un poco mejor a tu novia, va a agarrar e irse.If you don't treat your girlfriend better, she's going to up and leave.
9. (botany)
a. to take root
La planta no agarra si la tierra está demasiado suelta.The plant won't take root if the earth is too loose.
a. to grip
No me gustan tanto esas llantas porque no agarran en las curvas.I don't like these tires as much because they don't grip on the curves.
11. (color)
12. (to do something abruptly) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to up (used with another verb)
Agarró y se fue sin decir nada.He upped and left without saying anything.
agarrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
13. (to clutch)
a. to hold on
El marinero se agarró al mástil con toda su fuerza.The sailor held on to the mast with all his might.
b. to grip
El gato se cayó después de agarrar la rama que se rompió.The cat fell after it gripped the broken branch.
a. to stick
Los huevos se agarraron a la sartén porque no le pusiste aceite.The eggs stuck to the pan because you didn't use oil.
15. (to get into a fight) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to have a fight
Esos dos muchachos van a agarrarse si alguien no los separa.Those two guys are going to have a fight if someone doesn't separate them.
16. (colloquial) (to become)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Se agarró a los deberes para no tener que lavar los platos.She used her homework as an excuse to not wash the dishes.
Te agarras a tu herida para evitar las tareas en casa.You use your injury to get out of chores around the house.
