Inklingo
← Dictionary

dispare

dees-PAH-rehdisˈpa.ɾe

shoot, fire

Also: let him shoot, I may shoot
VerbA2regular ar
A simple drawing of a hand holding a rifle, with a puff of smoke and a projectile leaving the barrel.
infinitivedisparar
gerunddisparando
past Participledisparado

📝 In Action

El capitán quiere que yo dispare primero.

B1

The captain wants me to shoot first (I may shoot first).

¡No dispare! Es solo una advertencia.

A2

Don't shoot! It's just a warning.

El entrenador dijo: '¡Dispare, señor!'

A2

The coach said, 'Shoot, sir!' (Formal command)

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • disparar un arma – to fire a weapon
  • disparar a matar – to shoot to kill

trigger, set off

Also: provoke
VerbB1regular ar
A finger pressing a large red button, which immediately causes a clear chain reaction, like a row of dominoes starting to fall.

📝 In Action

El sensor requiere que alguien dispare la alarma manualmente.

B1

The sensor requires someone to trigger the alarm manually.

Espero que este comentario no dispare una pelea.

B2

I hope this comment doesn't set off a fight.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • disparar una reacción – to trigger a reaction
  • disparar un interruptor – to trip a switch

skyrocket, surge

Also: soar
VerbB2regular arformal
A stylized rocket ascending vertically into the sky, carrying a small icon representing a shopping cart or house, illustrating rapidly increasing costs.

📝 In Action

El banco teme que la inflación dispare los precios de la vivienda.

C1

The bank fears that inflation will skyrocket housing prices.

Ojalá que el costo de la gasolina no dispare de nuevo.

B2

Hopefully, the cost of gas doesn't surge again.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aumentar (to increase)
  • elevarse (to rise)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • disparar los costos – to skyrocket the costs

Indicative

Present

yodisparo
túdisparas
él/ella/usteddispara
nosotrosdisparamos
vosotrosdisparáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdisparan

Imperfect

yodisparaba
túdisparabas
él/ella/usteddisparaba
nosotrosdisparábamos
vosotrosdisparabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdisparaban

Preterite

yodisparé
túdisparaste
él/ella/usteddisparó
nosotrosdisparamos
vosotrosdisparasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdispararon

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yodispare
túdispares
él/ella/usteddispare
nosotrosdisparemos
vosotrosdisparéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdisparen

Imperfect Subjunctive

yodisparara/disparase
túdispararas/disparases
él/ella/usteddisparara/disparase
nosotrosdisparáramos/disparásemos
vosotrosdispararais/disparaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdispararan/disparasen
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: dispare

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'dispare' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
disparo(shot, firing (noun)) — Noun
disparador(trigger (noun)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
preparedeclare
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin prefix *ex-* (out of) combined with a root related to 'step' or 'pace,' suggesting the idea of moving something forward suddenly and rapidly, like launching a projectile.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Catalan: disparar

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'dispare' look like a command and a subjunctive form?

In Spanish, the formal command (Usted) always borrows its form from the present subjunctive. So, 'dispare' can mean 'Shoot! (formal)' or 'that I/he/she/you formal shoot (as a possibility or desire).'

Is 'disparar' only used for guns?

No. While the literal meaning is 'to shoot,' it is very commonly used metaphorically to mean 'to trigger' an alarm, 'to provoke' a reaction, or 'to skyrocket' prices.