echaron
/eh-CHAH-rohn/
they threw
They threw (echaron) the ball during their game.
echaron(verb)
they threw
?physical tossing
,they tossed
?physical movement
you all threw (formal)
?referring to 'ustedes'
📝 In Action
Los niños se echaron la pelota unos a otros en el parque.
A1The children threw the ball to each other in the park.
Ellos echaron las llaves sobre la mesa y se fueron.
A2They tossed the keys onto the table and left.
¿Quiénes echaron todos esos papeles a la basura?
A1Who threw all those papers in the trash?
💡 Grammar Points
The Simple Past Tense ('Preterite')
'Echaron' tells you that the action of 'throwing' or 'tossing' happened and finished completely at a specific point in the past. It describes a single, completed event.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Echar and Hacer
Mistake: "Using 'hicieron' (they made/did) when you mean 'echaron' (they threw)."
Correction: Although they sound similar, 'echar' is for physical actions like throwing or putting, while 'hacer' is for doing or making.
⭐ Usage Tips
Watch the 'ch'
The 'ch' in 'echaron' sounds exactly like the 'ch' in English words like 'church' or 'chip'.
They poured (echaron) the liquid from the pitcher.
echaron(verb)
they poured
?liquid or ingredient
,they added
?ingredients
they put in
?placing something
📝 In Action
Antes de hornear, echaron la mezcla en el molde.
A2Before baking, they poured the mixture into the mold.
Los cocineros echaron mucha sal a la sopa por accidente.
B1The cooks added a lot of salt to the soup by accident.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Echar' for Liquids
When talking about liquids, 'echar' often means 'to pour' or 'to spill.' Think of it as placing the liquid somewhere, usually quickly.
They fired (echaron) the employee, who is now leaving the workplace.
echaron(verb)
they fired
?dismissal from job
,they expelled
?from a place or group
they kicked out
?informal dismissal
📝 In Action
Debido a la crisis, echaron a varios empleados de la fábrica.
B1Due to the crisis, they fired several employees from the factory.
Cuando hicieron trampa en el examen, los profesores los echaron del aula.
B2When they cheated on the exam, the teachers kicked them out of the classroom.
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive Use: 'Echarse'
The reflexive form 'echarse' often means 'to lie down' or 'to start doing something.' Example: 'Se echaron a dormir' (They lay down to sleep).
⭐ Usage Tips
Stronger than 'Despedir'
Using 'echar' to mean 'to fire' is generally stronger and more direct than 'despedir' (to dismiss/say goodbye).
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: echaron
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'echaron' is used in the sentence: 'Echaron agua al fuego para apagarlo'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'echaron' always used for the third-person plural?
Yes, 'echaron' is the past tense form used specifically when the subject is 'ellos' (they, masculine), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal).
How do I know if 'echaron' means 'threw' or 'poured'?
You need to look at the direct object! If they 'echaron' a ball or a stone, it means 'threw.' If they 'echaron' water or salt, it means 'poured' or 'added.'