echó
/eh-CHOH/
threw
"Echó" means 'threw,' visualizing the action of someone tossing an object.
echó(Verb (Past Tense))
threw
?He/She/It threw something
,tossed
?He/She/It tossed something lightly
cast
?e.g., a shadow or a net
📝 In Action
El niño echó la piedra al agua y vimos las ondas.
A2The boy threw the stone into the water and we saw the ripples.
Ella echó una mirada rápida a su reloj.
B1She cast a quick glance at her watch.
💡 Grammar Points
A Specific Past Action
"Echó" is the simple past action (called the preterite tense) for 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or the formal 'you' (usted). It describes a single action completed in the past.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Using 'echaba' (the continuous past) for a single, finished action, e.g., 'Ella echaba la carta al buzón.'"
Correction: Use 'echó' for a specific, finished moment: 'Ella echó la carta al buzón.' (She threw the letter in the mailbox.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Time
When talking about how long something took, 'echar' (often reflexive 'echarse') can mean 'to spend time': 'Echó dos horas en el proyecto.' (He spent two hours on the project.)
The word "echó" can also translate to 'poured,' like pouring a drink from a pitcher.
echó(Verb (Past Tense))
poured
?He/She/It poured a liquid
,added
?He/She/It added an ingredient
put
?He/She/It put something in a container
📝 In Action
Antes de salir, la camarera echó más café en su taza.
B1Before leaving, the waitress poured more coffee into his cup.
Mi abuela echó demasiada azúcar al postre.
A2My grandmother added too much sugar to the dessert.
💡 Grammar Points
A Verb of Placement
In Spanish, 'echar' is often used where English uses 'put' or 'pour,' emphasizing the action of sending something into a space or mixture.
In a professional context, "echó" means 'fired,' illustrating someone who was dismissed from their job.
echó(Verb (Past Tense))
fired
?He/She/It dismissed someone from a job
,kicked out
?He/She/It expelled someone (informal)
expelled
?formal removal from an institution
📝 In Action
El gerente lo echó del restaurante por causar problemas.
B2The manager kicked him out of the restaurant for causing problems.
La empresa lo echó después de que descubrieron su fraude.
B2The company fired him after they discovered his fraud.
💡 Grammar Points
Expulsion Usage
When used in the sense of 'to fire' or 'to kick out,' 'echar' always needs a person (the direct object) and usually a place (the location they were removed from).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: echó
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation best fits the sentence: 'El viento echó la puerta abajo.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'echar' irregular?
No, 'echar' is a regular verb in the indicative tenses (like the past tense 'echó'). It follows the standard pattern for verbs that end in -ar. You just need to remember its many different meanings!
What is the difference between 'echó' and 'tiró'?
Both mean 'threw.' 'Echó' (from 'echar') often suggests placing, tossing, or casting (like a net or a glance), or pouring a liquid. 'Tiró' (from 'tirar') is more commonly used for throwing away (trash) or shooting a gun.