gatillo
/gah-TEE-yo/
trigger
The physical lever used to activate a mechanism or fire a weapon is called a 'gatillo'.
gatillo(noun)
trigger
?The small lever you pull to fire a gun or activate a mechanism.
release lever
?Any small lever or button that activates a spring or mechanism.
,spray handle
?The activation lever on a spray bottle.
📝 In Action
No pongas el dedo en el gatillo a menos que vayas a disparar.
B1Don't put your finger on the trigger unless you are going to shoot.
El gatillo de esta pistola de agua está roto.
A2The trigger on this water gun is broken.
Hay que apretar el gatillo de la bomba para que salga el jabón.
B1You have to squeeze the pump's lever for the soap to come out.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule
Even though 'gatillo' ends in '-o', remember it is a masculine noun ('el gatillo').
⭐ Usage Tips
Visual Connection
Think of 'gatillo' as a small 'gato' (cat). Historically, the early firing mechanism resembled a cat's paw or claw action.
Figuratively, 'gatillo' refers to the final action or decision that acts as the 'trigger' initiating a process or event.
gatillo(noun)
trigger (figurative)
?The final action or decision that starts a process.
catalyst
?Something that causes a rapid change or event.
📝 In Action
La caída de la bolsa fue el gatillo para la crisis económica.
C1The stock market crash was the trigger for the economic crisis.
Después de meses de dudas, por fin apretó el gatillo y compró la casa.
B2After months of doubting, he finally pulled the trigger (made the final decision) and bought the house.
💡 Grammar Points
Action Starter
When used figuratively, 'gatillo' often appears with verbs like 'ser' (to be) or 'convertirse en' (to become) to describe the cause of a large event.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you hear 'apretar el gatillo' outside the context of weapons, it almost certainly means 'to commit' or 'to finalize a scary decision,' much like the English idiom.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: gatillo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'gatillo' in its figurative meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'gatillo' have anything to do with the word 'gato' (cat)?
Yes! 'Gatillo' is the diminutive form of 'gato'. It means 'little cat'. The name stuck because the mechanism that activates a weapon was thought to resemble the quick, small movement of a cat's paw or claw.
How do I say 'pull the trigger' when I mean 'make the final decision'?
The phrase is 'apretar el gatillo'. It is used exactly like the English idiom to describe making a risky or definitive commitment.