disparé
/dis-pa-RÉ/
I shot
Depicting the action of firing a weapon: "I shot."
disparé(Verb)
I shot
?using a weapon
,I fired
?a gun or projectile
I launched
?a rocket or object
📝 In Action
Solo disparé una vez y fallé el objetivo.
A2I only shot once and I missed the target.
Cuando vi al oso, disparé una bengala al aire para asustarlo.
B1When I saw the bear, I fired a flare into the air to scare it.
💡 Grammar Points
The Simple Past (Preterite)
The word 'disparé' tells you two things: that the action happened entirely in the past and that 'I' (yo) was the one who did it. It's used for actions that were completed and finished.
Regular -AR Verb Pattern
'Disparar' is a regular verb. To form 'disparé,' you drop the '-ar' and add '-é,' which is the standard ending for 'yo' in the simple past for all regular -ar verbs.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Completion
Use 'disparé' when the act of shooting or firing was a single, finished event. If you were describing repeated actions in the past, you would use 'disparaba' (the imperfect tense).
Depicting the action of activating a mechanism: "I triggered."
disparé(Verb)
I triggered
?an alarm or mechanism
,I set off
?a reaction or process
I activated
?a system
📝 In Action
Sin querer, disparé la alarma del coche de mi vecino.
B1Accidentally, I triggered my neighbor's car alarm.
Con mi comentario, disparé una discusión en la mesa.
B2With my comment, I set off a discussion at the table.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
Here, 'disparé' is used figuratively, meaning you launched or started an event quickly, just like firing a weapon launches a projectile.
Depicting the action of speaking suddenly and impulsively: "I blurted out."
📝 In Action
No lo pensé, simplemente disparé la pregunta sin tacto.
B2I didn't think about it, I simply blurted out the question tactlessly.
Disparé un par de insultos antes de que me callara.
C1I threw out a couple of insults before I shut myself up.
💡 Grammar Points
Speaking Impulsively
This meaning compares speaking quickly and without control to the sudden action of firing a weapon. It implies a lack of filter or thought.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: disparé
Question 1 of 1
Which English translation best fits the sentence: 'Disparé un precio altísimo.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'disparé' sound like a past action but the infinitive is 'disparar'?
'Disparé' is the simple past tense (preterite) form of the verb 'disparar.' It means 'I shot' or 'I fired,' referring to an action that started and finished at a specific moment in the past. The accent mark on the 'é' is key, as it tells you it's the 'yo' form in the past.
How is 'disparé' different from 'disparaba'?
'Disparé' (preterite) describes a single, completed event ('I shot once'). 'Disparaba' (imperfect) describes habitual or ongoing actions in the past ('I used to shoot often') or provided background description.