dispararon
/dee-spah-RAH-rohn/
they shot
Depicting the action of firing a weapon, meaning 'they shot' (dispararon).
dispararon(verb)
they shot
?when referring to firing a weapon
,they opened fire
?military/police action
you all shot
?formal plural (Ustedes)
📝 In Action
Los cazadores dispararon tres veces antes de acertar.
B1The hunters shot three times before hitting the target.
Cuando vieron el peligro, los guardias dispararon al aire.
B2When they saw the danger, the guards fired into the air.
Ustedes dispararon la bengala para pedir ayuda.
B2You all (formal) fired the flare to ask for help.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'They' Form in the Past
This word, 'dispararon,' tells you that multiple people ('ellos' or 'ustedes') completed the action of shooting at a specific moment in the past.
Regular -AR Verb
'Disparar' is a regular '-ar' verb, which means it follows the most common set of endings for Spanish verbs. The past tense ending '-aron' is very predictable.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Preterite vs. Imperfect
Mistake: "Using 'disparaban' when referring to a single, completed action."
Correction: 'Dispararon' is for a quick, finished action (e.g., 'They shot once'). 'Disparaban' describes a habitual or ongoing action in the past (e.g., 'They were shooting continuously').
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Ustedes'
Remember 'dispararon' can mean 'they shot' (ellos/ellas) or 'you all shot' (ustedes, the formal plural way to address a group).
Illustrating the initiation of an event or reaction, meaning 'they triggered' (dispararon).
dispararon(verb)
they triggered
?to cause a reaction or event
,they set off
?an alarm or mechanism
they took (a picture)
?when referring to using a camera
📝 In Action
Sin querer, los niños dispararon la alarma de incendios.
B2Unintentionally, the children set off the fire alarm.
Los comentarios de la prensa dispararon la controversia.
C1The press comments triggered the controversy.
Dispararon una foto al mismo tiempo.
B2They took a picture at the same time.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you see 'dispararon' used with words like 'alarma' (alarm) or 'debate' (debate), it means 'they caused it to start,' not 'they shot it.'
Visualizing a rapid increase in value or quantity, meaning 'they skyrocketed' (dispararon).
dispararon(verb)
they skyrocketed
?prices or numbers
,they soared
?prices or enthusiasm
they launched
?into action
📝 In Action
Después de la crisis, los precios de la vivienda se dispararon.
C1After the crisis, housing prices skyrocketed.
Sus acciones en la bolsa se dispararon al conocerse la noticia.
C1Their stocks soared when the news broke.
💡 Grammar Points
Used Reflexively
This meaning often uses the word 'se' before the verb ('se dispararon') to show that the thing itself (the prices, the enthusiasm) went up suddenly.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dispararon
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'dispararon' in the figurative sense of increasing rapidly?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'dispararon' always refer to violence or weapons?
No. While the primary meaning is 'they shot' (a weapon), it is very commonly used metaphorically to mean 'they set off' (an alarm), 'they took' (a photo), or 'they skyrocketed' (prices).
Who is performing the action when I see 'dispararon'?
The action is being done by a group of people: either 'ellos' (they, masculine or mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine group), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal).