casual

Toca

Have to / Need to / It's necessary

TOH-kah

What does it mean?

"Toca" is one of the most distinctly Colombian words. It means "have to", "need to", or "it's necessary". "Toca trabajar" = "I/we have to work". "¿Qué toca hacer?" = "What do we need to do?" It's used constantly in everyday Colombian speech.

How to use it

Replace "hay que" or "tengo que" with "toca" to sound immediately more Colombian.

Example sentences

We have to go.

Toca irse.

What do we need to do?

¿Qué toca hacer?

I have to work tomorrow.

Mañana toca trabajar.

Related phrases

Ahorita

In a moment / Right now / Later

Listo

Ready / OK / Done / Sure

Dale

Let's do it / Go ahead / Come on

More everyday phrases

Ahorita

In a moment / Right now / Later

Listo

Ready / OK / Done / Sure

Dale

Let's do it / Go ahead / Come on

Sumercé

You (formal/respectful, Bogotá)

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