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How to Say "firing" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “firing” is “despido” — use 'despido' when referring to the act of being officially let go from a job, often due to layoffs or poor performance..

English → Spanish

despido

/des-PEE-doh//desˈpiðo/

nounB1formal
Use 'despido' when referring to the act of being officially let go from a job, often due to layoffs or poor performance.
A person walking away from a building holding a cardboard box filled with office supplies.

Examples

El despido fue totalmente inesperado para todos los empleados.

The dismissal was totally unexpected for all the employees.

Recibió una indemnización tras su despido.

He received a compensation payment after his firing.

Masculine naming word

This word is always masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' with it (el despido).

Confusing the noun and verb

Mistake: “Using 'el despido' to say 'I say goodbye'.”

Correction: Use 'el despido' for the event (the firing) and just 'despido' without 'el' when you are performing the action (I fire/say goodbye).

echando

/eh-CHAHN-doh//eˈtʃan.do/

verb (gerund)B1informal
Use 'echando' when describing the ongoing action of a company or person dismissing employees, especially in informal contexts.
A storybook illustration showing one person pointing another person, who is carrying a box of personal items, away from an office entrance.

Examples

La empresa está echando a mucha gente por la crisis.

The company is firing a lot of people due to the crisis.

El guardia de seguridad lo está echando del local.

The security guard is kicking him out of the premises.

Meaning Shift

Here, 'echar' retains its core meaning of 'sending,' but it implies sending someone away permanently or forcefully.

disparando

dis-pah-RAHN-doh/dis.paˈɾan.do/

verb (gerund)A2
Use 'disparando' to describe the active, ongoing action of shooting a gun, rifle, or cannon.
A cartoon hand holding a simple, stylized rifle, with a small cloud of white smoke visible exiting the barrel, indicating the action of shooting.

Examples

El tirador profesional estaba disparando con gran precisión.

The professional shooter was firing with great accuracy.

Vimos fuegos artificiales disparando hacia el cielo.

We saw fireworks launching toward the sky.

Continuous Action

The '-ando' ending means the action is happening right now or is ongoing. It is often used with 'estar' (to be) to form the present continuous tense: 'estoy disparando' (I am shooting).

Using the Infinitive

Mistake: “Using 'está disparar' to mean 'is shooting'.”

Correction: Always use the gerund after 'estar': 'está disparando'.

disparos

dis-PAH-rohs/disˈpaɾos/

nounB1
Use 'disparos' to refer to the noun form of gunshots, the sound or event of a weapon being fired.
A stylized, simple drawing of a handgun pointed right. A bright yellow muzzle flash and a large puff of gray smoke are clearly visible emanating from the barrel, illustrating a gunshot.

Examples

Oímos tres disparos cerca del parque esta mañana.

We heard three shots near the park this morning.

La policía respondió rápidamente a los disparos.

The police responded quickly to the gunfire.

Hubo un intercambio de disparos entre los dos grupos.

There was an exchange of fire between the two groups.

Plural Noun Form

This word is the plural form of the masculine noun 'disparo' (a single shot). Always use it with masculine plural articles (los, unos).

Confusing Singular and Plural

Mistake: “Hizo un disparos. (Incorrect use of singular article with plural noun.)”

Correction: Hizo un disparo (He fired one shot) or Hizo varios disparos (He fired several shots).

tiros

/TEE-rohs//ˈti.ɾos/

nounA2
Use 'tiros' as a more general and common term for gunshots, often used interchangeably with 'disparos'.
A cartoon illustration of an old black cannon firing a projectile. A large puff of gray smoke and a bright orange muzzle flash erupt from the barrel.

Examples

Se escucharon varios tiros cerca del parque.

Several shots were heard near the park.

La policía respondió al intercambio de tiros.

The police responded to the exchange of fire.

Plural Form

Remember that 'tiros' is the plural form of the masculine noun 'tiro'. It means multiple gunshots.

Job Dismissal vs. Gunfire

The most common confusion is between words related to job dismissal ('despido', 'echando') and those related to shooting a weapon ('disparando', 'disparos', 'tiros'). Always check the context to ensure you're not talking about ending employment when you mean shooting, or vice versa.

Related Translations

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