tirando

/tee-RAHN-doh/

throwing

A young child standing in a sunny park, mid-action, using their arm to launch a bright red ball high into the air.

Visualizing the physical action of 'throwing' or launching something.

tirando(Continous Verb Form (Gerund))

A2regular ar

throwing

physical action of launching something

tossing

lightly throwing something

Also:

pulling

dragging or drawing (less common than jalar/halar)

shooting

firing a weapon

📝 In Action

El jardinero está tirando las semillas en la tierra.

The gardener is throwing the seeds onto the soil.

Están tirando abajo el viejo edificio para construir uno nuevo.

They are pulling down (demolishing) the old building to build a new one.

¿Por qué estás tirando basura al suelo?

Why are you throwing garbage on the floor?

Word Connections

Synonyms

lanzando (launching, throwing)
arrojando (hurling, throwing)

Common Collocations

estar tirando – to be throwing/pulling
tirando de la cuerda – pulling the rope

Idioms & Expressions

tirando la casa por la ventana – spending a huge amount of money; going all out

💡 Grammar Points

Forming the Progressive Tense

To show an action is happening right now, you use a form of 'estar' (to be) plus 'tirando': 'Estoy tirando' (I am throwing).

⭐ Usage Tips

Direction Matters

Use 'tirar' for throwing away ('tirar la basura') or throwing at something ('tirar piedras').

A cheerful cartoon figure sitting at a small, humble table, diligently sewing a colorful patch onto a worn piece of clothing, symbolizing resourcefulness.

Visualizing the idea of 'getting by' or managing resources effectively to survive.

tirando(Continous Verb Form (Gerund))

B1idiomatic usage ar

getting by

financially or in life, surviving

managing

coping with difficulty

Also:

scraping by

just having enough money

📝 In Action

La vida es difícil, pero vamos tirando.

Life is hard, but we are getting by (managing).

Con el sueldo de mi esposa, estamos tirando hasta que encuentre un trabajo.

With my wife's salary, we are managing until I find a job.

— ¿Cómo te va con la renta? — Ahí, tirando.

— How are you doing with the rent? — Hanging in there (getting by).

Word Connections

Synonyms

subsistiendo (subsisting)
sobreviviendo (surviving)

Idioms & Expressions

ir tirando – to be getting by; to be okay (but not great)

💡 Grammar Points

Idiomatic Use with 'Ir'

When used figuratively, 'tirando' is almost always paired with 'ir' (to go) in the progressive form ('voy tirando', 'vamos tirando') to mean 'we are moving forward, but barely'.

⭐ Usage Tips

A Common Response

If someone asks '¿Qué tal?' (How are things?), responding with 'Ahí, tirando' is a very common, honest way to say 'So-so, managing.'

✏️ 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

tirar(to throw, to pull) - verb

tiro(shot, throw, pull) - noun

tirada(printing run, batch) - noun

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).