tiras
“tiras” means “you throw” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
you throw, you pull
Also: you shoot, you waste
📝 In Action
¿Por qué tiras la basura aquí? Hay un bote.
A1Why are you throwing the trash here? There's a can.
Si tiras muy fuerte de la cuerda, se va a romper.
A2If you pull the rope too hard, it's going to break.
Tú tiras el dinero en cosas inútiles.
B1You waste money on useless things.
strips, bands
Also: comic strips, police
📝 In Action
Necesito dos tiras de tela roja para el proyecto.
A2I need two strips of red fabric for the project.
Siempre leo las tiras de Mafalda en internet.
B1I always read the Mafalda comic strips online.
Las tiras adhesivas no pegan bien en esta superficie.
A2The adhesive strips don't stick well to this surface.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "tiras" in Spanish:
bands→comic strips→police→strips→you pull→you shoot→you throw→you waste→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tiras
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'tiras' to mean 'strips or bands'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The noun 'tira' (strip) comes from the Latin word *tīra*, meaning a long piece of land or fabric. The verb form 'tiras' (from *tirar*) has a separate origin, tracing back to the Germanic root *tīran*, meaning 'to pull' or 'to draw.'
First recorded: Both roots are ancient, appearing in various forms throughout Old Spanish texts.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if 'tiras' is the noun or the verb?
Look at the words around it! If you see 'tú' or the sentence is clearly about what 'you' are doing, it's the verb ('Tú tiras la basura'). If you see 'las' or an adjective (like 'rojas') next to it, it is almost certainly the plural noun ('Las tiras rojas').
Does 'tiras' ever mean 'to shoot'?
Yes, 'tirar' can mean 'to shoot' (like a gun or a photograph), so 'tiras' means 'you shoot.' This meaning is common in some regions, but 'disparar' is a more universal word for shooting a weapon.

