Inklingo
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tirador

/tee-rah-DOR/

drawer pull

A close-up view of a small, shiny metal handle attached to the front panel of a wooden cabinet drawer.

This image illustrates 'tirador' meaning a drawer pull or handle.

tirador(noun)

mA2

drawer pull

?

handle used to open a drawer

,

handle

?

general small handle or knob

Also:

knob

?

round handle

📝 In Action

El tirador de la cómoda se salió, necesito pegarlo.

A2

The drawer pull on the dresser came off; I need to glue it.

Gira el tirador para abrir la puerta de la alacena.

B1

Turn the handle to open the cupboard door.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • manija (handle (general))
  • pomo (knob)

Common Collocations

  • tirador de puerta – door handle/pull
  • cambiar el tirador – to change the handle

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Since 'tirador' ends in '-or', it is a masculine noun and requires the masculine article 'el' or 'un'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

When talking about furniture, 'tirador' almost always refers to the small piece you pull to open it. For larger door handles, 'manija' or 'picaporte' might also be used.

A friendly person standing outdoors, holding a simple wooden slingshot and aiming it toward a brightly colored target.

This image illustrates 'tirador' meaning a shooter or someone who aims and fires a projectile.

tirador(noun)

mB1

shooter

?

person who fires a weapon

,

marksman

?

skilled shooter

Also:

thrower

?

person who throws objects, especially slingshots

📝 In Action

El tirador olímpico falló su último disparo.

B1

The Olympic shooter missed his last shot.

Se necesita mucha práctica para ser un buen tirador.

B2

It takes a lot of practice to be a good marksman.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • francotirador (sniper)
  • disparador (shooter (less common for a person))

Common Collocations

  • excelente tirador – excellent marksman
  • campo de tiro – shooting range

💡 Grammar Points

The '-dor' Suffix

The suffix '-dor' is often added to a verb (like 'tirar') to create a noun describing the person or thing that performs the action (like 'shooter').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up the action and the person

Mistake: "Using 'el tiro' (the shot) when you mean 'el tirador' (the shooter)."

Correction: 'El tirador es rápido' (The shooter is fast). 'El tiro fue rápido' (The shot was fast).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tirador

Question 1 of 2

If you are fixing a piece of furniture, which meaning of 'tirador' are you most likely using?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

tirar(to throw, to pull, to shoot) - verb
tiro(shot, throw, pull) - noun
tiradora(female shooter/marksman) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tirador' the same as 'tirantes'?

Not usually. 'Tirantes' is the standard word for 'suspenders' (the straps that hold up pants). While 'tirador' is sometimes used regionally to mean 'suspender,' it is much more common to use 'tirador' for a handle or a shooter.

How do I know if 'tirador' means a person or an object?

Look at the context. If it’s near words like 'arma' (weapon), 'blanco' (target), or 'competición' (competition), it means 'shooter'. If it’s near words like 'cajón' (drawer), 'puerta' (door), or 'mueble' (furniture), it means 'handle' or 'pull'.