The present subjunctive mood of tomar is used to express wishes, desires, or uncertainty about taking something. For example, Es importante que tomes vitaminas. (It’s important that you take vitamins.)

Tomar is a regular -ar verb, so its present subjunctive conjugations follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Tomar (to take, drink) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish):

Tomar generally means “to take” or “to drink”, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

To take or consume: for example, Que tomes las vitaminas (That you take the vitamins).

To drink: for example, Que tomes agua (That you drink water).

To take a path or route: for example, Que tomemos el camino más corto (That we take the shortest path).

To take a class or course: for example, Que tomes un curso de español (That you take a Spanish course).

To take a photo or video: for example, Que tomemos una foto juntos (That we take a photo together).

To take a break or rest: for example, Que tomemos un descanso (That we take a break).

To take seriously or consider: for example, Que tomes en serio tus estudios (That you take your studies seriously).

To take advantage of: for example, Que tomemos la oportunidad (That we take the opportunity).

Slang: To fool or trick: for example, Que no te tomen el pelo (That they don’t fool you, lit. “take your hair”).

Examples

Examples of Tomar in the Subjunctive Mood

Es importante que tomes precauciones al viajar a un país nuevo. (It’s important that you take precautions when traveling to a new country.)

Ojalá que tomes la decisión correcta. (I hope you make the right decision.)

El médico recomienda que tomes vitaminas diariamente. (The doctor recommends that you take vitamins daily.)

Aunque no tomes el trabajo, seguiremos siendo amigos. (Even if you don’t take the job, we’ll still be friends.)

Es necesario que tomemos medidas para proteger el medio ambiente. (It’s necessary that we take measures to protect the environment.)

El instructor insistió en que tomemos notas durante la clase. (The instructor insisted that we take notes during the class.)

Sugiero que tomen un descanso de vez en cuando. (I suggest that you take a break from time to time.)

Dudo que tomen esa decisión a la ligera. (I doubt they’ll take that decision lightly.)

Es crucial que toméis en serio vuestros estudios. (It’s crucial that you take your studies seriously.)

Independientemente de lo que tomen, respetaré su elección. (Regardless of what they choose, I’ll respect their choice.)

Quiero que tomes un descanso y te relajes un rato. (I want you to take a break and relax for a bit.)

A menos que tomen medidas, la situación empeorará. (Unless they take action, the situation will worsen.)

Tal vez sea mejor que tomemos un taxi esta noche. (Maybe it’s better if we take a taxi tonight.)

Es imprescindible que tomen en cuenta todas las opiniones. (It’s essential that they take all opinions into account.)

Me alegraría que tomaras un curso de cocina. (I’d be happy if you took a cooking class.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Tomar (to take, drink) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.