disparando
/dis-pah-RAHN-doh/
shooting
When using a weapon, 'disparando' translates directly to 'shooting'.
disparando(Verb (Gerund))
shooting
?using a weapon
,firing
?a gun or cannon
launching
?projectiles
📝 In Action
El tirador profesional estaba disparando con gran precisión.
B1The professional shooter was firing with great accuracy.
Vimos fuegos artificiales disparando hacia el cielo.
A2We saw fireworks launching toward the sky.
💡 Grammar Points
Continuous Action
The '-ando' ending means the action is happening right now or is ongoing. It is often used with 'estar' (to be) to form the present continuous tense: 'estoy disparando' (I am shooting).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Infinitive
Mistake: "Using 'está disparar' to mean 'is shooting'."
Correction: Always use the gerund after 'estar': 'está disparando'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Watch the Preposition
When talking about shooting at a target, Spanish often uses 'a' or 'hacia', not always 'en' (in) or 'contra' (against).
When referring to an alarm or mechanism, 'disparando' means 'triggering'.
disparando(Verb (Gerund))
triggering
?an alarm or mechanism
,causing to skyrocket
?prices or costs
setting off
?a reaction
,boosting
?a statistic rapidly
📝 In Action
La nueva demanda está disparando los precios de la vivienda en la capital.
B2The new demand is causing housing prices in the capital to skyrocket.
El humo estaba disparando la alarma de incendios del edificio.
B1The smoke was triggering the building's fire alarm.
💡 Grammar Points
Causative Use
In this sense, 'disparando' means 'making something happen' or 'causing a sudden change.' It often links an action (the subject) to the result (the object, usually prices or alarms).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation
Mistake: "Translating 'disparando los precios' as 'shooting the prices'."
Correction: The figurative meaning is 'causing prices to rise sharply' or 'skyrocketing them'.
Figuratively, 'disparando' can mean 'talking nonsense' or speaking wildly.
disparando(Verb (Gerund))
talking nonsense
?speaking wildly or without sense
,spouting crazy things
?informal speech
ranting
?speaking excitedly and irrationally
📝 In Action
Estuvo toda la noche disparando sobre teorías de conspiración.
C1He was talking nonsense all night about conspiracy theories.
Cuando bebe demasiado, termina disparando sin parar.
C1When he drinks too much, he ends up spouting crazy things non-stop.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Extension
This meaning is figurative, imagining words being 'shot out' without control or sense. It’s usually used in the continuous form ('estar disparando').
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Context Only
Reserve this meaning for casual conversations among friends; it is too strong or informal for professional settings.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: disparando
Question 1 of 2
Which English verb best captures the meaning of 'disparando' in the sentence: 'La noticia está disparando los rumores'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'disparando' used only for continuous actions?
Yes, 'disparando' is the gerund form, meaning it describes an action that is ongoing ('está disparando') or it acts as an adverb describing how another action is performed ('salió disparando' - he left quickly/shooting).
How do I know if 'disparando' means 'shooting' or 'skyrocketing'?
Look at the direct object (the thing receiving the action). If it's a weapon, bullet, or person, it means 'shooting.' If it's prices, costs, or an alarm, it means 'triggering' or 'skyrocketing.'