The word "toma" is primarily a noun in Spanish. It can also function as a conjugated form of the verb "tomar," specifically the third person singular (ella/él/usted) of the present indicative form.
Phonetic Transcription
/tó.ma/
Translation Options into English
Take
Shot (as in "taking a shot" or "photo")
Capture
Intake
Meaning and Usage
The word "toma" has several meanings based on the context:
General Use: It can refer to the act of taking something or capturing it.
Law: In legal terms, it could refer to the act of taking possession of something, often used in the context of confiscation or legal seizure.
Technical/Polytechnical: In technical jargon, it may refer to the act of taking energy from a source, such as in electrical engineering where it can refer to a power take-off.
Colloquial: In some Latin American countries, it can mean “a shot” as in a drink or a quick intake of something, often used in social contexts.
Frequency of Use
"Toma" is commonly used in both oral and written contexts but may be more frequent in informal oral conversations due to its colloquialisms.
Example Sentences
Spanish: "La toma de decisiones es crucial para el éxito del proyecto."
English: "The decision-making process is crucial for the success of the project."
Spanish: "Hicimos una toma del paisaje en la montaña."
English: "We took a shot of the landscape on the mountain."
Spanish: "La toma de la medicación a tiempo es importante."
English: "The intake of medication on time is important."
Idiomatic Expressions
The word "toma" is part of several idiomatic expressions, illustrating its versatility in the Spanish language:
Toma y daca: Refers to a situation of give and take.
Spanish: "En las negociaciones, hay que tener en cuenta el toma y daca."
English: "In negotiations, one must consider the give and take."
A tomar por culo: A vulgar expression meaning “to go to hell” or “to get lost.”
Spanish: "Ese tipo tiene que irse a tomar por culo."
English: "That guy needs to go to hell."
No hay toma sin ayuda: Literally translates to "there's no taking without help"; meaning that you often need support to achieve something.
Spanish: "Recuerda, no hay toma sin ayuda; siempre puedes pedir consejo."
English: "Remember, there's no taking without help; you can always ask for advice."
Toma la iniciativa: Means "take the initiative."
Spanish: "Si quieres éxito, toma la iniciativa en el trabajo."
English: "If you want success, take the initiative at work."
Etymology
The word "toma" originates from the Latin verb "toma," derived from "capere," which means "to take." It evolved through Old Spanish into its current form, retaining the same basic meaning of taking or seizing.