What Does Tomar Mean? Exploring the Meaning Behind the Word

Tomar is a mysterious word that has piqued the curiosity of people from all over the world. It is a word that is often used in different contexts, and each context has a unique meaning. However, not many know the true meaning of tomar. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind the word and the different situations where it is used.

Before delving into the meaning of tomar, let’s first take a look at the origin of the word. Tomar is a word of Portuguese origin, which means “to take”. The word originates from the Latin word “tangere”, which means “to touch or to take hold of”. The word tomar is used in various situations, and its meaning depends on the context. Let us explore some of these contexts in detail.

The Literal Meaning of Tomar

The literal meaning of tomar is “to take”. This meaning is evident in the phrase “Tomar agua”, which means “to drink water”. Additionally, to express taking something from someone, one can use the phrase “tomar de alguien”, which roughly translates to “to take from someone”. For instance, “Tomé el coche de mis padres” translates to “I took my parents’ car”.

Taking Possession

Tomar is often used to indicate taking possession of something. For instance, if someone buys a house, they can use the phrase “Tomar posesión de mi casa” to mean “to take possession of my house”. Furthermore, in legal contexts, one can use the phrase “tomar posesión” to indicate taking possession of a property or an office.

Expressions with Tomar

Tomar can be used in diverse ways to express certain situations. For example, in some cultures, it is customary to offer guests drinks or snacks upon their arrival. In such a situation, the host can use the phrase “tomar algo” to mean “to have something to drink” or “to have a snack”. Similarly, the phrase “Tomar una decisión” means “to make a decision”.

When one takes a liking to someone, the phrase “Tomar cariño” comes in handy. “Tomé cariño a mi compañero de trabajo” translates to “I took a liking to my co-worker”. Besides, when someone is sick, the phrase “Tomar medicina” means “to take medicine”.

Tomar in Colloquial Expressions

Tomar is widely present in colloquial expressions, especially in Spanish-speaking cultures. For example, the phrase “Tomar el pelo” is used to mean “to pull someone’s leg”. Similarly, “tomar el toro por los cuernos” literally translates to “taking the bull by the horns” and figuratively means to “take charge of a situation”.

When one wants to decline an invitation or an offer, the phrase “No tomé en cuenta tu invitación” comes in handy, which means “I did not accept your invitation”. Another colloquial expression is “Tomar las de Villadiego”, which means “to run away”.

Tomar in Latin American Culture

Tomar plays an essential role in Latin American culture, especially with the multiple celebrations and events that take place throughout the year. For instance, in Mexico, the day of the dead is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November, where people gather to remember their loved ones who have passed away. On such an occasion, people use the phrase “Tomar el mezcal”, which means “to drink mezcal”.

Similarly, in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, people celebrate the tradition of the “asado,” which is a barbecue party. On such an occasion, people use the phrase “Tomar una cerveza” to mean “to have a beer”. Moreover, in Peru, Pisco Sour is the national drink, and to enjoy it, people use the phrase “Tomar un pisco sour”.

The Significance of Tomar in the Portuguese Language

As previously mentioned, tomar is a word of Portuguese origin. In the Portuguese language, tomar plays a significant role, especially with the different conjugations that exist. For instance, “Eu tomo” translates to “I take”, “Tu tomas” translates to “you take”, “Ele/ela toma” translates to “he/she takes”, “nós tomamos” translates to “we take”, and so on.

Moreover, in Portugal, the most famous drink is Port wine. In this context, one can use the phrase “Vamos tomar um copo de Port” to mean “Let’s have a glass of Port wine”.

The Symbolic Meaning of Tomar

Tomar also has a symbolic meaning that varies from culture to culture. For example, in Buddhism, tomar represents the ultimate understanding of reality. To achieve such an understanding, the person has to “take hold” of reality by letting go of preconceptions and bias.

In ancient Egypt, the word “tomaru” was often depicted on the tombs of the pharaohs. The word meant “to complete” or “to finish”. This use of tomar symbolized the end of the journey through life and the ultimate completion of the afterlife.

The Negative Connotation

While tomar has various meanings, it can have a negative connotation in certain contexts. For instance, the phrase “Tomar drogas” means “to take drugs”. On the other hand, the phrase “Tomar ventaja de alguien” means “to take advantage of someone”. Similarly, the phrase “tomar a mal” means “to take in a bad way”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tomar is a versatile word with various meanings in different contexts. It is a word that originates from Portuguese and has become prevalent in many other languages. Tomar has a literal meaning of “to take,” which is the basis for its many other uses. The word is present in many cultural contexts, and the use of the word has a symbolic meaning in some cultures. Understanding the different contexts of tomar is essential to avoid any misunderstandings, especially in situations where the word has a negative connotation.

Most Common Questions about the Meaning of Tomar

What is the Origin of Tomar?

Tomar is a word of Portuguese origin, which means “to take”.

What Does Tomar Mean Literally?

The literal meaning of tomar is “to take”. For example, “Tomar agua” means “to drink water”, and “Tomé el coche de mis padres” means “I took my parents’ car”.

What is the Significance of Tomar in Latin American culture?

Tomar is essential in Latin American culture, especially during celebrations and events where drinks are served.

Does Tomar Have Negative Connotation?

Tomar can have a negative connotation in certain contexts. For instance, “Tomar drogas” means “to take drugs”, “Tomar ventaja de alguien” means “to take advantage of someone”, and “tomar a mal” means “to take in a bad way”.

What Does Tomar Symbolize in Buddhism?

In Buddhism, tomar represents the ultimate understanding of reality achieved by “taking hold” of reality.

What Does “Tomar el Pelo” Mean?

“Tomar el pelo” is a colloquial expression used to mean “to pull someone’s leg”.

What is the Meaning of “Tomar una Decisión”?

“Tomar una decisión” means “to make a decision”.

What is “Asado” in Latin America?

“Asado” is a barbecue party that is commonly held in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.

What Does “Tomar una Cerveza” Mean in Latin America?

“Tomar una cerveza” means “to have a beer”.

What Does “No Tomé en Cuenta tu Invitación” Mean?

“No Tomé en Cuenta tu Invitación” means “I did not accept your invitation”.

What Does “Tomar las de Villadiego” Mean?

“Tomar las de Villadiego” means “to run away”.

References

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *