Inklingo

How to Say "gun" in Spanish

English → Spanish

arma

AR-maˈaɾma

nounA2general
Use 'arma' as a general, all-purpose term for any weapon, including a firearm, especially when the specific type isn't important or known.
A simple, classic silver sword with a brown hilt resting on a neutral background, symbolizing a weapon.

Examples

El guardia de seguridad llevaba un arma.

The security guard carried a gun.

El soldado llevaba un arma para protegerse.

The soldier carried a weapon to protect himself.

La policía encontró el arma del crimen en el parque.

The police found the murder weapon in the park.

Tener un arma de fuego requiere una licencia especial.

Having a firearm requires a special license.

The 'el arma' Rule

Even though 'arma' is a feminine word (meaning you'd say 'las armas' for plural), we use 'el' in the singular ('el arma'). This is just to make it sound better and avoid the two 'a' sounds running together in 'la arma'. This happens with other feminine words that start with a stressed 'a' sound, like 'agua' ('el agua').

Using 'la' instead of 'el'

Mistake: “Vi la arma en la mesa.”

Correction: Vi el arma en la mesa. Remember, for singular feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a', we borrow 'el' to make it flow nicely. But if you add an adjective, it goes back to 'la'! For example: 'la potente arma' (the powerful weapon).

pistola

pees-TOH-lahpisˈtola

nounA2general
Use 'pistola' specifically for a handgun or pistol, a small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
A simple, dark-colored handgun resting on a surface.

Examples

El policía sacó su pistola de la funda.

The police officer took his pistol out of the holster.

En las películas de vaqueros, siempre hay alguien con una pistola en el cinto.

In cowboy movies, there is always someone with a gun on their belt.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'pistola' is a feminine word, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives: 'una pistola vieja' (an old pistol).

fusil

foo-SEELfuˈsil

nounB1general
Use 'fusil' to refer to a rifle, a long firearm with a rifled barrel, typically fired from the shoulder.
A classic long-barreled rifle resting against a wooden fence.

Examples

El soldado limpiaba su fusil con mucho cuidado.

The soldier cleaned his rifle very carefully.

Es un fusil de asalto de última generación.

It is a state-of-the-art assault rifle.

Para pescar en estas aguas necesitas un fusil de pesca submarina.

To fish in these waters, you need an underwater speargun.

Making it plural

Since this word ends in a consonant (l), you add '-es' to make it plural: 'los fusiles'.

The Gender of Weapons

Most specific types of long guns like 'fusil' and 'cañón' are masculine, while general categories like 'arma' or 'pistola' are feminine (though 'arma' uses 'el' for sound reasons).

Fusil vs. Escopeta

Mistake: “Using 'fusil' to describe a bird-hunting gun.”

Correction: Use 'escopeta' for a shotgun. A 'fusil' has a rifled barrel for long distances; an 'escopeta' is usually for shorter range and hunting birds.

pipa

pee-pahˈpipa

nounB2informal
Use 'pipa' informally to refer to a gun, often in slang or colloquial contexts, similar to saying 'piece' in English.
A simple depiction of a handgun laying flat on a neutral surface.

Examples

El ladrón sacó una pipa y nos asustamos.

The thief pulled out a gun (piece) and we got scared.

General vs. Specific Firearms

Learners often use 'arma' too broadly when a more specific term like 'pistola' (handgun) or 'fusil' (rifle) is more appropriate. Reserve 'arma' for when you don't know the specific type or want to refer to any weapon generally.

Related Translations

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