tirar
/tee-RAHR/
to throw
Tirar means 'to throw' an object.
tirar(verb)
to throw
?projecting an object
,to toss
?lightly throwing
to discard
?throwing away trash or unwanted items (often used with 'a la basura')
,to knock down
?to cause something to fall
📝 In Action
El niño no paraba de tirar la pelota.
A1The boy wouldn't stop throwing the ball.
Necesitas tirar esta caja vieja a la basura.
A2You need to throw this old box in the trash.
El viento tiró el árbol durante la tormenta.
B1The wind knocked down the tree during the storm.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Tirar' for Trash
When talking about throwing something away, you often use the construction 'tirar a la basura' (throw to the trash).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Throwing vs. Dropping
Mistake: "Using 'tirar' when you mean 'to drop' something accidentally."
Correction: Use 'dejar caer' or 'se me cayó'. 'Tirar' implies intention.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Tiradero'
The related word 'tiradero' (a noun) is very common, meaning a mess or a pile of rubbish, stemming from this meaning of throwing things around.
Another meaning of tirar is 'to shoot' a weapon.
tirar(verb)
to shoot
?using a weapon
,to take
?a photograph (common in some regions)
to fire
?a weapon
📝 In Action
El cazador tuvo que tirar para defenderse.
B1The hunter had to shoot to defend himself.
¿Puedes tirarme una foto con mi teléfono?
B1Can you take a picture of me with my phone?
El ladrón tiró al aire para asustarlos.
C1The thief shot into the air to scare them.
💡 Grammar Points
Photo Usage
In many regions, 'tomar una foto' or 'sacar una foto' is more universally understood for taking pictures, but 'tirar una foto' is very common in places like Mexico and Central America.
When used reflexively (tirarse), the word means 'to throw oneself.'
tirar(verb)
to throw oneself
?physically projecting one's body
,to dive
?into water or onto a surface
to jump
?when jumping from a height
,to go for it
?figurative: 'tirarse a la aventura'
📝 In Action
El clavadista se tiró a la piscina desde diez metros.
B1The diver threw himself into the pool from ten meters.
Después de la caminata, me tiré en el sofá.
B1After the walk, I threw myself down on the couch.
No te tires por esa pendiente, es peligroso.
B2Don't jump down that slope, it is dangerous.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Se' Ending
When 'tirar' ends in 'se' (tirarse), it means the action is happening to the person doing it (like 'I throw myself'). You must use a matching pronoun: 'me tiro', 'te tiras', 'se tira', etc.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Omitting the Pronoun
Mistake: "Saying 'Yo tiré' when you mean 'I dove' or 'I lay down'."
Correction: If the action is done to yourself, you need the pronoun: 'Yo me tiré' (I dove/lay down).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tirar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'tirar' to mean 'to discard'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tirar' used for 'to pull' in all Spanish-speaking countries?
No. While 'tirar' can mean 'to pull' (especially in Spain, like 'tirar de la puerta'—to pull the door), in most of Latin America, people use 'jalar' or 'halar' for the action of pulling.
How do I know if 'tirar' means 'to throw' or 'to shoot'?
Context is key. If the object is a ball or trash, it means 'to throw.' If the object is a gun, a bullet, or the phrase is 'tirar una foto,' it refers to shooting or taking a picture.