echar
/eh-CHAR/
to throw
Echar means 'to throw' when tossing something away.
echar(Verb)
to throw
?tossing something away
,to toss
?lightly throwing something
to cast
?e.g., a net
📝 In Action
Ella echó la pelota al perro en el parque.
A1She threw the ball to the dog in the park.
Por favor, echa la basura en el contenedor azul.
A2Please, throw the trash in the blue container.
💡 Grammar Points
Literal Action
In its most basic use, 'echar' simply means moving an object through the air, similar to 'tirar' but often implying a less forceful or less destructive action.
Use 'echar' when you mean 'to pour' a liquid.
echar(Verb)
to pour
?liquids
,to add
?ingredients/spices
,to put in
?inserting an object
to spread
?e.g., fertilizer
📝 In Action
Voy a echarle un poco de sal a la sopa.
A2I'm going to add a little salt to the soup.
¿Puedes echar más gasolina al coche, por favor?
B1Can you put more gas in the car, please?
Echa el agua caliente en la tetera.
A2Pour the hot water into the kettle.
💡 Grammar Points
Use with Indirect Objects (Le/Les)
When you add something to something else (like salt to soup), you often use the indirect object pronoun 'le' or 'les': 'Le echo sal' (I add salt to it).
When used in the context of employment, echar means 'to fire' or dismiss someone from a job.
echar(Verb)
to fire
?dismiss from a job
,to expel
?from a school or location
to kick out
?informal dismissal
📝 In Action
Lo echaron del trabajo por llegar tarde todos los días.
B1They fired him from the job for arriving late every day.
Si sigues haciendo ruido, te van a echar de la biblioteca.
B2If you keep making noise, they are going to kick you out of the library.
💡 Grammar Points
Usage with Reflexive Pronouns
When used with a reflexive pronoun (like 'me echaron'), it often implies 'I was the one who was fired' or 'They threw me out.'
Echar can refer to the act of physical rest, meaning 'to lie down'.
echar(Verb)
to lie down
?physical rest
,to start (doing something)
?often followed by 'a' + infinitive
to flop down
?quickly resting
📝 In Action
Después de correr, me eché en el sofá por media hora.
B1After running, I lay down on the sofa for half an hour.
Al escuchar el chiste, todos se echaron a reír.
B2Upon hearing the joke, everyone burst out laughing (started laughing).
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive Action (Echarse)
When 'echar' is used with 'se' (echarse), the action circles back to the person doing it, like lying yourself down or throwing yourself into an action.
Sudden Start
To express suddenly starting an action, use the pattern: 'echarse a + infinitive (base verb)': 'Se echó a correr' (He suddenly started running).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: echar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'echar' to mean 'to pour/add'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'echar' different from 'tirar'?
'Echar' usually means to place, put, or throw something towards a goal (like adding salt or throwing a ball to someone). 'Tirar' often implies a more general action of pulling, or throwing something away, or dropping something with less care. They are often interchangeable when talking about trash.
What is the most useful idiomatic phrase using 'echar'?
The structure 'echar de menos' (literally 'to throw of less') is essential; it means 'to miss' someone or something. For example, 'Echo de menos a mi familia' (I miss my family).