Tacto

The WOTD is: 'tacto' = touch

In Spanish, the noun 'tacto' is a masculine noun of Latin origin, the main meaning of which is touch (the sense of touch). The Spanish noun 'tacto' may also be used to refer to:

• The act of touching/ feeling something (touch).
• How something feels (rough/ smooth/ etc.)
• A method of medical examination, in which the fingers are used to explore the skin externally or accessible body cavities internally.
• The exercise of judgement or restraint when dealing with a delicate subject (tact).

A related Spanish action word/ verb is 'tocar'*. The verb 'tocar' may be used to refer to the general meaning: to touch or to feel.

*NB Please note that 'tocar' is is the verb commonly used in Spanish to express what to play a musical instrument means in English (see expressions and examples below). Please note also that for other meanings of the English noun, touch, such as a special ability or a finishing touch, in Spanish, you should use the noun 'toque'.

A related Spanish describing word/ adjective is: 'táctil'. The Spanish adjective 'táctil' means tactile in English.

Some expressions containing the word 'tacto' or the related words in them are:

• Al tacto (by touch).
• Mecanografía al tacto (touch typing).
• ¡Qué falta de tacto! (how tactless!).
• Tener tacto (i) (to feel/ to have a feel)
  
• Tener tacto (ii) (to be tactful).
• Tocar <un instrmento musical> (to play < a musical instrument>).
• Los últimos toques (the finishing touches).

Examples of the use of the word 'tacto', and related words are:

• Yo reconocería ese material al tacto (I would recognise that material by touch).
• Esa camisa tiene un tacto suave (that shirt has a soft feel).
• Tienes que tener más tacto (you must be more tactful).
• Tocas muy bien la guitarra (you play the guitar very well).
• Eso requiere un toque de magia (that requires a magic touch).

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'tacto' in the YouTube clip: Cuenta Cuentos: El Tacto de Midas

 

For more on the word 'tacto', visit: Wordreference.com/es/en/ Tacto

 *NB 'Click' on the speaker icon next to the word “tacto” in the link to hear the word pronounced.

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