tirando
“tirando” means “throwing” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
📝 In Action
El jardinero está tirando las semillas en la tierra.
A2The gardener is throwing the seeds onto the soil.
Están tirando abajo el viejo edificio para construir uno nuevo.
B1They are pulling down (demolishing) the old building to build a new one.
¿Por qué estás tirando basura al suelo?
A2Why are you throwing garbage on the floor?
📝 In Action
La vida es difícil, pero vamos tirando.
B1Life is hard, but we are getting by (managing).
Con el sueldo de mi esposa, estamos tirando hasta que encuentre un trabajo.
B2With my wife's salary, we are managing until I find a job.
— ¿Cómo te va con la renta? — Ahí, tirando.
B1— How are you doing with the rent? — Hanging in there (getting by).
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "tirando" in Spanish:
getting by→managing→pulling→scraping by→shooting→throwing→tossing→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tirando
Question 1 of 2
Which English phrase best captures the meaning of the sentence: 'Mi negocio no va bien, pero voy tirando.'
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The root verb 'tirar' comes from the Old French 'tirer', which originally meant 'to draw out' or 'to pull'. This explains why the word has two seemingly opposite meanings in Spanish: 'to pull' and 'to throw' (to cast out).
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (c. 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tirando' the same as 'lanzando'?
'Lanzando' almost always means 'launching' or 'throwing' something with force or distance. 'Tirando' is broader; it can mean 'throwing,' but also 'pulling' or, idiomatically, 'getting by.' When you throw something away (like garbage), 'tirando' is the most common choice.
How do I know if 'tirando' means 'pulling' or 'throwing'?
Context is key. If you see 'tirando de' (throwing *of*), it usually means 'pulling' or 'dragging' ('tirando del carro' - pulling the cart). If you see 'tirando a' (throwing *to* or *at*) or 'tirando la' (throwing *the*), it usually means 'throwing' or 'tossing' ('tirando la pelota' - throwing the ball).