disparen
/dees-PAH-rehn/
Shoot!
When giving a command to a group to fire, you use the imperative form disparen ('Shoot!').
disparen(verb)
Shoot!
?Giving a command to a group (ustedes)
,Fire!
?Giving a command to a military unit or group (ustedes)
Launch!
?Command to start something, like a rocket or a program
📝 In Action
¡Soldados, disparen a la cuenta de tres!
B1Soldiers, shoot on the count of three!
Cuando estén listos, disparen el flash de la cámara.
B2When you are ready, fire the camera flash.
Si tienen preguntas, ¡disparen!
B2If you have questions, fire away! (Informal command to start asking)
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Plural Command
This form ('disparen') is the direct command for 'ustedes' (you all, formal) or the standard plural command in Latin America. It is formed using the present subjunctive.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Formal and Informal Plural
Mistake: "Using 'disparad' (the vosotros command) when addressing a group in Mexico or Colombia."
Correction: In most of Latin America, always use 'disparen' for plural commands, even with friends.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking for Questions
A very common figurative use is '¡Disparen sus preguntas!' or just '¡Disparen!' to tell an audience to start asking questions.
Disparen can be used in the subjunctive mood to express desire or necessity regarding a group's action, such as 'It is necessary that they shoot.'
disparen(verb)
(that they) shoot
?Subjunctive use, expressing desire or necessity
,(that you formal plural) fire
?Subjunctive use, expressing doubt or emotion
(that they) set off
?Referring to alarms or events
📝 In Action
Es crucial que ellos no disparen hasta que vean la señal.
B2It is crucial that they don't shoot until they see the signal.
Dudo que las cámaras disparen solas.
B2I doubt that the cameras fire by themselves.
Necesito que ustedes disparen la alarma si ven algo sospechoso.
C1I need you (formal plural) to set off the alarm if you see anything suspicious.
💡 Grammar Points
The Subjunctive Trigger
When a sentence starts with phrases expressing doubt ('dudo que'), necessity ('es necesario que'), or desire ('quiero que'), the verb in the second part of the sentence must change to the subjunctive form, which is 'disparen' in this case.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Normal Form
Mistake: "Saying: 'Es importante que ellos disparan.' (using the indicative form 'disparan' instead of 'disparen')."
Correction: The phrase 'Es importante que...' requires the special subjunctive form: 'Es importante que ellos disparen.'
⭐ Usage Tips
When the Action is Unreal
Use 'disparen' when the action of shooting/firing is uncertain, desired, or hypothetical, not when it is a definite fact.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: disparen
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences uses 'disparen' as a direct command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'disparen' related to the English word 'disparate'?
Yes, they share the same Latin root 'dis-' and 'parare.' In English, 'disparate' means fundamentally different or unequal, focusing on the 'out of order' part of the original meaning. In Spanish, 'disparar' focuses on the action of 'sending off' or 'launching' something.
How do I know if 'disparen' is a command or subjunctive?
If it stands alone or follows an exclamation mark (¡Disparen!), it is a command. If it is preceded by 'que' and follows a verb expressing desire, doubt, or necessity (like 'Es necesario que...'), it is the subjunctive form.