Spanish word

disparar

Pronunciation

IPA/dispaˈɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbshoot

Example

¡No dispares!

Don't shoot!

Illustration for disparar (shoot)

More examples

El soldado disparó durante el entrenamiento.

The soldier shot during training.

Core concept

Shutter or mechanism releasing a single shot.

Common phrases

  • disparar un arma

    shoot a gun

  • disparar al aire

    shoot into the air

  • disparar a alguien

    shoot someone

Similar words

apuntar: Points a weapon carefully at a specific target.
tirotear: Opens fire with several shots in a short time.
herir: Causes a physical wound by piercing or cutting.
matar: Takes someone's life.

Definition in Spanish

Accionar un arma o un dispositivo para que lance un proyectil u opere de forma súbita; en uso figurado, describir un aumento o activación repentina.

Word origin

Formed from a Latin-derived dis- prefix plus a root for releasing or sending out, the word extended from 'let out' to mean firing guns and triggering devices such as cameras.

Usage tips

  • Disparar commonly refers to weapons but also to taking a photo (disparar una foto), so use fotografiar for the neutral verb 'to photograph' when clarity is needed.

Other meanings

  • launchverb

Related words

  • disparoshotnoun
  • disparadortriggernoun
  • disparadofiredadjective

Word lists with this word