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"Tomar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take", and "dormir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to sleep". Learn more about the difference between "tomar" and "dormir" 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)
dormir(
dohr
-
meer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to rest)
a. to sleep
Hay que dormir por lo menos seis horas cada noche.One should sleep at least six hours a night.
b. to stay the night
Dormimos en casa de mis suegros el Día de Acción de Gracias.We stayed the night at my in-laws' on Thanksgiving.
a. to sleep together
Creo que Marco y Ana durmieron juntos anoche.I think Marco and Ana slept together last night.
a. to lie idle
Sus ahorros no han crecido porque ha dejado la cuenta dormir.His savings haven't grown because he let the account lie idle.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to put to sleep (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Duermo a mis niños con un cuento.I put my children to sleep with a story.
b. to get off to sleep
Voy a dormir los niños y luego regreso.I'm going to get the children off to sleep and then I'll be back.
c. to send to sleep (due to boredom)
Ese profesor duerme a sus estudiantes con su voz monótona.That teacher sends his students to sleep with his monotonous voice.
a. to put to sleep
Durmieron a mi perro para limpiarle los dientes.They put my dog to sleep in order to clean his teeth.
b. to put under
Lo durmió el cirujano antes de la operación.The surgeon put him under before the operation.
a. to put to sleep
Mi hermano tuvo que dormir a su perro porque tenía cáncer.My brother had to put his dog to sleep because it had cancer.
dormirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to fall asleep
Me dormí a las 6 de la mañana.I fell asleep at 6 in the morning.
El programa era tan aburrido que me dormí.The program was so boring that I fell asleep.
b. to go to sleep
No pude dormirme anoche porque estaba preocupado por el examen de hoy.I couldn't go to sleep last night because I was worried about today's exam.
c. to get to sleep
¿Pudiste dormirte en la tienda de campaña?Did you manage to get to sleep in the tent?
a. to oversleep
Se durmió porque no oyó el despertador.She overslept because she didn't hear the alarm.
10. (to go numb)
a. to go to sleep
No puedo ponerme en pie porque se me durmió la pierna.I can't stand up because my leg has gone to sleep.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No te duermas o no acabarás a tiempo.Don't slack off or you won't finish in time.
Por dormirse se perdió la clave para ganar el premio.He missed the clue to win the prize because he didn't stay on his toes.
