The short answer is yes… but the long answer might surprise you.

This tip will be useful if you’re in the last part of level B1 or in level B2.

The short answer to the question “Are tomara and tomase the same?” is yes.

But the long answer is a tip you won’t find in any Spanish textbook.

I recommend using the -ra form (like tomara) because it’s the most widely used in real-life Spanish.

In addition, this form has an extra advantage:

You can use it instead of the simple conditional with modal verbs.

For example:

  • Quisiera un café. (= Me gustaría un café.)
    I’d like a coffee.
  • Debieras descansar. (= Deberías descansar.)
    You should rest.

The -se form (like tomase) sounds more formal or literary, and doesn’t have that extra use.

Using tomara makes you sound not only natural, but also confident and up-to-date.

And if you want to easily remember how to conjugate the imperfect subjunctive, here’s a simple trick:

Start from the third person plural of the simple past (ellos tomaron),

remove “-ron” and add “-ra” or “-se”, according to the subject: -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -ran.

✨ Ellos tomaron → yo tomara

Although there are other rules to form the imperfect subjunctive, the one I just explained is the best, because it works for all verbs, both regular and irregular.

Also, remember this important pattern:

Verbs that are irregular in the simple past (preterite) are also irregular in the imperfect subjunctive.

Using this rule gives you a solid foundation and saves you from memorizing unnecessary exceptions.