Tomar o tomarse

[jrtcalifornia]

tomar la medicina
o
tomarse la medicina

[Jessica]

tomar la medicina (I think)

[tacuba]

tomar la medicina
o
tomarse la medicina

I've always heard "tomarse" in reference to medicines. It could be the same distinction as "comer" and "comerse". Both are correct, but the pronominal verb (comerse, tomarse) acts as an intensifier.

[laepelba]

What exactly IS the distinction between "comer" and "comerse"? (Thus between "tomar" and "tomarse"...) I (sort of) understand the idea of pronomial verbs ... that you're doing something to yourself. But how do you eat to yourself? What's the difference between eating and comerse-ing?

[Rusty]

Welcome to the forums!!


Emphasis is the only difference between tomar and tomarse. The same goes for comer and comerse. You're emphasizing the action. In these cases, it could mean the difference between "I drank/ate it," and "I drank/ate it up."

[Jessica]

so would it be tomar la medicina?

[Rusty]

It doesn't matter whether you use tomar or tomarse, Jessica.

[Fazor]

I also find reflexive verbs confusing; as in, some of them don't seem to make sense as to why they would be reflexive. But, I can understand the emphesis (jeeze, can't spell that work) thing; Is "Yo me tomo [algo]" the correct conjugation for tomarse?

[Bolboreta]

In Spain with medicines we almost always use tomarse: El médico le dijo que tenía que tomarse el jarabe tres veces al día. Tomar also works, but not as well in my opinion.

In the case of comer and comerse, the difference is the emphasis: If I say: Me apetece comerme una hamburguesa, I mean that I wish it more than if I say: Me apetece comer una hamburguesa.

[Bolboreta]

; Is "Yo me tomo [algo]" the correct conjugation for tomarse?
Yes, it is! :)

[Rusty]

I also find reflexive verbs confusing ... (they're technically not reflexive, they're pronominal - reflexive verbs fit in this category)
Is "Yo me tomo [algo]" the correct conjugation for tomarse?Yes, it is. You may omit the subject pronoun (yo).

[Fazor]

Hey, maybe I'm actually learning something! Woohoo. :)

[tacuba]

What exactly IS the distinction between "comer" and "comerse"? (Thus between "tomar" and "tomarse"...) I (sort of) understand the idea of pronomial verbs ... that you're doing something to yourself. But how do you eat to yourself? What's the difference between eating and comerse-ing?

Think of it this way:

"Me voy a comprar una hamburguesa" "I'm going out to buy a burger"
"Me voy a comprarme una hamburguesa" "I'm going out to buy me (or get me) a burger"

[chileno]

Think of it this way:

"Me voy a comprar una hamburguesa" "I'm going out to buy a burger"
"Me voy a comprarme una hamburguesa" "I'm going out to buy me (or get me) a burger"

Corrección, No puedes usar el "me" dos veces.

[CrOtALiTo]

I bid you welcome.

The sentences written for you are accurate.

Tomar la medicina.

To take medicine.

Tomarse la medicina.

You are taking the medicine.

I hope your stay here in the forum will enjoyable.

[tacuba]

Corrección, No puedes usar el "me" dos veces.

Thanks Chileno, I didn't know this.

[chileno]

Thanks Chileno, I didn't know this.

you're welcome. :)

[Jessica]

oh I see :P thanks :)

[laepelba]

Think of it this way:

"Me voy a comprar una hamburguesa" "I'm going out to buy a burger"
"Me voy a comprarme una hamburguesa" "I'm going out to buy me (or get me) a burger"

I really like that thinking - and, although when we use that construction in English, we're not exactly being "formal", it's definitely used for stress. Cool! Thanks! :)