Inklingo

How to Say "they fired" in Spanish

English → Spanish

despidieron

/des-pee-DYER-on//despiˈðjeɾon/

verbB1
Use 'despidieron' when referring to the act of dismissing someone from their job in a standard, direct way.
A person walking away from an office building carrying a cardboard box with their belongings.

Examples

Despidieron a tres personas de mi oficina ayer.

They fired three people from my office yesterday.

Lamentablemente, los despidieron sin darles una razón.

Unfortunately, they were dismissed without being given a reason.

The Stem Change

Notice how the 'e' from 'despedir' changes to an 'i' in 'despidieron.' This happens in the past tense for 'they' and 'he/she' forms.

Completed Action

This word describes a completed action that happened once in the past, rather than something that used to happen repeatedly.

Spelling Error

Mistake: “despedieron”

Correction: despidieron. Even though the original verb is 'despedir', the 'e' must change to 'i' in this specific past form.

echaron

eh-CHAH-rohn/eˈt͡ʃaɾon/

verbB1
Use 'echaron' when emphasizing the act of expelling or removing employees from a company, often due to external pressures like economic hardship.
A simple, sad-looking character carrying a small cardboard box of personal belongings, walking away from a large office building entrance.

Examples

Debido a la crisis, echaron a varios empleados de la fábrica.

Due to the crisis, they fired several employees from the factory.

Cuando hicieron trampa en el examen, los profesores los echaron del aula.

When they cheated on the exam, the teachers kicked them out of the classroom.

Reflexive Use: 'Echarse'

The reflexive form 'echarse' often means 'to lie down' or 'to start doing something.' Example: 'Se echaron a dormir' (They lay down to sleep).

Choosing between 'despedir' and 'echar'

Learners often confuse 'despidieron' and 'echaron' because both mean 'they fired'. While 'despidieron' is the most common and neutral term for job dismissal, 'echaron' carries a slightly stronger sense of expulsion or removal, often implying a more forceful action or a reason tied to circumstances.

Related Translations

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