Inklingo

How to Say "shot" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “shot” is “tiro” — use 'tiro' for the sound or action of a gunshot, a projectile fired from a gun, or for attempts in sports like basketball or pool..

tiro🔊A2

Use 'tiro' for the sound or action of a gunshot, a projectile fired from a gun, or for attempts in sports like basketball or pool.

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bala🔊A2

Use 'bala' specifically for the metal projectile that is fired from a gun.

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inyecciónA1

Use 'inyección' for a medical injection given by a healthcare professional.

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vacuna🔊A2

Use 'vacuna' for a medical injection intended to prevent disease, like a flu shot.

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chance🔊A2

Use 'chance' when referring to an opportunity or a possibility to do something.

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disparado🔊A2

Use 'disparado' as an adjective meaning 'fired' or 'shot' when describing something that has been launched or propelled.

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lanzamiento🔊A2

Use 'lanzamiento' for the act of throwing or projecting something, like a stone or a ball.

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trago🔊B1

Use 'trago' for a small serving or drink of an alcoholic beverage.

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municiónB1

Use 'munición' to refer to ammunition, specifically the small metal pellets used in hunting or by the military.

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plano🔊B2

Use 'plano' in the context of film or photography to mean a specific camera shot or angle, like a close-up.

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lance🔊B2

Use 'lance' for a quick, often skillful, attempt or throw, especially in sports like fishing or baseball.

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dosis🔊A1

Use 'dosis' for a measured amount of medicine, which can sometimes informally refer to an injection.

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English → Spanish

tiro

TEE-roh/ˈtiɾo/

nounA2general
Use 'tiro' for the sound or action of a gunshot, a projectile fired from a gun, or for attempts in sports like basketball or pool.
A burst of smoke and light emanating from the barrel of a stylized firearm, depicting a shot being fired.

Examples

El policía hizo un tiro al aire para detener la pelea.

The police officer fired a shot into the air to stop the fight.

Necesitamos practicar el tiro al blanco este fin de semana.

We need to practice target shooting this weekend.

El delantero falló el tiro a la portería.

The striker missed the shot at the goal.

Estuvo a un tiro de piedra de la casa, muy cerca.

It was a stone's throw from the house, very close.

Measuring Distance

The phrase 'a un tiro de piedra' (a stone's throw) is a very common way to describe something that is very close by.

bala

/BAH-lah//ˈbala/

nounA2general
Use 'bala' specifically for the metal projectile that is fired from a gun.
A single, shiny brass and copper bullet cartridge resting on a flat surface.

Examples

Encontraron una bala en el suelo después del ruido.

They found a bullet on the ground after the noise.

El chaleco antibalas está diseñado para detener las balas.

The bulletproof vest is designed to stop bullets.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in '-a', 'bala' is a feminine noun, so you use 'la' or 'una' before it.

inyección

nounA1informal
Use 'inyección' for a medical injection given by a healthcare professional.

Examples

Necesité una inyección para calmar el dolor.

I needed a shot to calm the pain.

vacuna

/ba-KOO-nah//baˈkuna/

nounA2informal
Use 'vacuna' for a medical injection intended to prevent disease, like a flu shot.
A small medical glass vial and a syringe resting on a clean surface.

Examples

La vacuna contra la gripe es anual.

The flu vaccine is annual.

Mañana me ponen la segunda vacuna.

I am getting the second shot tomorrow.

Gender and Articles

Since this word ends in '-a' and is feminine, always use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Vaccine vs. Cow

Mistake: “Confusing 'vacuna' with 'vaca'.”

Correction: While related historically, 'vaca' is the animal (cow) and 'vacuna' is the medicine (vaccine).

chance

chahn-seh/ˈtʃanse/

nounA2general
Use 'chance' when referring to an opportunity or a possibility to do something.
A small, cheerful person standing in a dark hallway, looking excitedly at a large, brightly illuminated open doorway leading to a sunny, inviting landscape.

Examples

Solo necesito un chance para demostrar mi valor.

I just need one chance to prove my worth.

Si me das un chance, puedo arreglarlo.

If you give me a shot, I can fix it.

Llegué tarde y perdí el chance de verla.

I arrived late and missed the opportunity to see her.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'chance' sounds like an English word, in Spanish it is always masculine, so you must use 'el chance' or 'un chance'.

Using 'La Chance'

Mistake: “La chance”

Correction: El chance. Remember that this word is masculine.

disparado

dees-pah-RAH-doh/dis.paˈɾa.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'disparado' as an adjective meaning 'fired' or 'shot' when describing something that has been launched or propelled.
A perfectly straight, wooden arrow flying rapidly through the air against a clear blue sky, depicted with motion lines.

Examples

La flecha fue disparada con mucha fuerza.

The arrow was shot with great force.

El arma había sido disparada recientemente.

The weapon had been recently fired.

El proyectil disparado impactó en el blanco.

The fired projectile hit the target.

The Passive Voice

This is the form used when something receives the action of shooting. You often see it with the verb 'ser' (to be) to form the passive voice: 'fue disparado' (it was shot).

lanzamiento

/lan-sah-MYEN-toh//lanθaˈmjento/

nounA2general
Use 'lanzamiento' for the act of throwing or projecting something, like a stone or a ball.
A figure is captured in the motion of throwing a small object, showing the physical act of tossing.

Examples

El lanzamiento de la piedra fue muy potente.

The throw of the stone was very powerful.

Vimos el lanzamiento del cohete en la televisión.

We watched the rocket launch on television.

The verb 'lanzar'

Remember that 'lanzamiento' is the action (the noun). The verb is 'lanzar' ('to throw' or 'to launch'): 'Él lanza la pelota' (He throws the ball).

trago

/TRAH-goh//ˈtɾa.ɣo/

nounB1informal
Use 'trago' for a small serving or drink of an alcoholic beverage.
A colorful, garnished cocktail served in a tall glass with ice on a simple background.

Examples

Pedimos dos tragos de ron y una cerveza.

We ordered two rum drinks and a beer.

Después de un largo día, solo quiero un trago fuerte.

After a long day, I just want a strong drink.

¿Quién paga los tragos de esta noche?

Who is paying for the drinks tonight?

Plural Use

When talking about having multiple alcoholic beverages, you almost always use the plural: 'unos tragos'.

Confusion with Drink

Mistake: “Using 'trago' when you mean a non-alcoholic beverage like juice or soda.”

Correction: Use 'bebida' or 'refresco' for non-alcoholic drinks. 'Trago' implies alcohol in social settings.

munición

nounB1general
Use 'munición' to refer to ammunition, specifically the small metal pellets used in hunting or by the military.

Examples

El ejército se quedó sin munición durante la batalla.

The army ran out of ammunition during the battle.

plano

/plah-noh//ˈplano/

nounB2general
Use 'plano' in the context of film or photography to mean a specific camera shot or angle, like a close-up.
A tight, close-up illustration focusing only on the face and upper shoulders of a smiling character, representing a cinematic shot angle.

Examples

El director decidió hacer un primer plano de sus ojos para mostrar la emoción.

The director decided to do a close-up shot of her eyes to show the emotion.

El plano general captura todo el paisaje de la montaña.

The wide shot captures the entire mountain landscape.

lance

/lan-se//ˈlanθe/ (Spain) /'lanse/ (Latam)

nounB2sports
Use 'lance' for a quick, often skillful, attempt or throw, especially in sports like fishing or baseball.
A person's hand and arm are depicted in mid-motion, forcefully throwing a bright red ball through the air.

Examples

El pescador hizo un lance perfecto y su red cayó sobre el banco de peces.

The fisherman made a perfect cast and his net fell over the school of fish.

Necesitas más fuerza en el lance para llegar a la otra orilla.

You need more strength in the throw to reach the other shore.

dosis

DOH-sees/ˈdo.sis/

nounA1general
Use 'dosis' for a measured amount of medicine, which can sometimes informally refer to an injection.
A small, transparent measuring cup containing a precise amount of bright red liquid medicine, illustrating a dose.

Examples

El doctor me dijo que tomara una dosis cada ocho horas.

The doctor told me to take one dose every eight hours.

La dosis de este medicamento es muy alta para un niño.

The dosage of this medicine is too high for a child.

Necesitamos las dosis exactas para la vacuna.

We need the exact doses for the vaccine.

Always Feminine

Remember to always use feminine words before 'dosis': 'la dosis' (the dose), 'una dosis' (a dose).

Singular and Plural Look the Same!

Since 'dosis' already ends in -s, its form doesn't change when you make it plural. You only change the article: 'la dosis' (one dose), 'las dosis' (many doses).

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “El dosis.”

Correction: La dosis. Always treat it as a feminine word.

Distinguishing between 'tiro', 'bala', and 'disparado'

Learners often confuse 'tiro' (the action/sound of firing), 'bala' (the projectile), and 'disparado' (the past participle meaning 'fired'). Remember that 'tiro' is the event, 'bala' is the object, and 'disparado' describes something that has been shot.

Related Translations

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