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How to Say "shots" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tiros

/TEE-rohs//ˈti.ɾos/

nounA2general
Use 'tiros' when referring to gunshots or explosions, or for attempts in sports like basketball or soccer.
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.

El equipo falló muchos tiros libres en el último cuarto.

The team missed many free throws in the last quarter.

El entrenador les pidió más tiros a puerta.

The coach asked them for more shots on goal.

Plural Form

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

Sports Vocabulary

In sports, 'tiros' describes the action of propelling the ball toward the target, whether by hand (basketball) or foot (soccer).

balas

/BAH-lahs//ˈbalas/

nounB1general
Use 'balas' specifically for the projectiles fired from a gun.
Several shiny brass rifle bullets grouped together on a simple background.

Examples

Encontraron dos cajas de balas en el armario.

They found two boxes of bullets in the closet.

Se quedaron sin balas después del primer enfrentamiento.

They ran out of rounds after the first confrontation.

El escudo puede detener balas de bajo calibre.

The shield can stop low-caliber bullets.

Plural Form

Since 'balas' is the plural form of the feminine noun 'bala' (bullet), it always requires feminine plural determiners, like 'las' or 'algunas'.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “Los balas (using masculine article)”

Correction: Las balas (use the feminine article 'las' because 'bala' is feminine).

disparos

dis-PAH-rohs/disˈpaɾos/

nounB1general
Use 'disparos' to refer to the act or sound of gunshots or explosions.
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).

escenas

es-SEH-nas/esˈse.nas/

nounA1general
Use 'escenas' when talking about parts or segments of a film or play.
Three adjacent, rectangular frames on a white background, depicting a sequential story. The first frame shows a whole red apple. The second frame shows the apple half-eaten. The third frame shows only the apple core remaining, illustrating narrative divisions.

Examples

Las escenas de acción son mis favoritas.

The action scenes are my favorite.

El director cortó algunas escenas para que la película fuera más corta.

The director cut some scenes so the movie would be shorter.

En el teatro, las escenas cambian cuando los personajes entran o salen.

In the theater, the scenes change when the characters enter or exit.

Feminine Plural Noun

Remember that 'escenas' is a feminine plural noun, so you must use feminine plural articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'las escenas largas').

planos

PLAH-nohs/ˈplanos/

nounB1general
Use 'planos' when referring to blueprints or architectural drawings.
A stack of rolled-up blue architectural blueprints tied with a ribbon, next to one blueprint partially unrolled showing white technical drawing lines on a blue background.

Examples

El arquitecto nos mostró los planos del nuevo edificio.

The architect showed us the blueprints for the new building.

Necesitamos revisar los planos eléctricos antes de empezar la obra.

We need to check the electrical plans before starting the construction.

El director de fotografía usó muchos primeros planos para crear tensión.

The cinematographer used a lot of close-up shots to create tension.

Plural Noun Rule

Since 'planos' is a masculine plural noun, any descriptive words (adjectives) used with it must also be masculine and plural: 'los planos nuevos' (the new blueprints).

Plan vs. Plano

Mistake: “Using 'los planos' when you mean 'the strategy' or 'the intention.'”

Correction: Use 'el plan' (singular) or 'los planes' (plural) for strategies. Use 'los planos' only for technical drawings or visual frames.

cañones

nounC1informal
Use 'cañones' informally to refer to small servings or glasses of alcoholic drinks.

Examples

Nos tomamos unos cañones de ron después de cenar.

We had a few shots of rum after dinner.

Confusing 'tiros', 'balas', and 'disparos'

Learners often confuse 'tiros', 'balas', and 'disparos'. Remember that 'balas' are the physical projectiles, while 'tiros' and 'disparos' refer more to the act or sound of firing. 'Tiros' can also mean attempts in sports, adding another layer of distinction.

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