Inklingo
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A stylized illustration of a simple, long-barreled shotgun with a wooden stock.

escopeta

es-koh-PEH-tah

nounfB1
shotgun?A long-barreled firearm, typically used for hunting or security
Also:rifle?Used broadly for any long, shoulder-fired gun (less precise than 'fusil')

📝 In Action

El cazador limpió la escopeta antes de ir al bosque.

B1

The hunter cleaned the shotgun before going to the forest.

La policía incautó una escopeta de repetición en el allanamiento.

B2

The police seized a pump-action shotgun in the raid.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • arma de fuego (firearm)
  • fusil (rifle)

Common Collocations

  • cargar una escopeta – to load a shotgun
  • escopeta de caza – hunting shotgun

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar con la escopeta cargada – to be very angry, ready to confront someone

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Remember that 'escopeta' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it: 'la escopeta vieja'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Gun Types

Mistake: "Using 'escopeta' for a small handgun."

Correction: Use 'pistola' for a handgun. 'Escopeta' is specifically a long gun, usually fired from the shoulder.

⭐ Usage Tips

Technical Specificity

While often translated as 'shotgun,' in some regions, 'escopeta' can be used generally for any long rifle, though 'fusil' is more precise for military-style rifles.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: escopeta

Question 1 of 2

Which English translation is the most accurate primary meaning for 'escopeta'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

escopetazo(shot (from a shotgun); sound of a shot) - noun
escopetero(gunner (historical term)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'escopeta' the same as 'fusil'?

Not exactly. Both are long guns, but 'escopeta' usually means a shotgun (designed to shoot many small pellets), while 'fusil' specifically means a rifle (designed to shoot a single bullet with high precision), often used in a military context. 'Escopeta' is the broader term.

How do I remember the gender of 'escopeta'?

Since it ends in '-a,' it follows the typical pattern for feminine nouns in Spanish. Think of 'La escopeta' (The shotgun).