How to Say "threw" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “threw” is “lanzó” — use 'lanzó' for the general act of throwing a physical object, especially with some force or intent, like in sports or games..
English → Spanish
lanzó
verbA1general
Use 'lanzó' for the general act of throwing a physical object, especially with some force or intent, like in sports or games.
Examples
El niño lanzó la pelota al perro.
The boy threw the ball to the dog.
verbA2general
Use 'tiró' when the action involves tossing or discarding an object, such as throwing away trash or casually tossing something aside.
Examples
Ella tiró la basura en el contenedor azul.
She threw the trash in the blue container.
verbA2general
Use 'echó' when the action implies casting or throwing something into a place, often with a sense of expulsion or sending it away.
Examples
El niño echó la piedra al agua y vimos las ondas.
The boy threw the stone into the water and we saw the ripples.
Distinguishing 'lanzó' from 'tiró' and 'echó'
Learners often confuse 'lanzó' with 'tiró' or 'echó'. Remember that 'lanzó' is the most general term for throwing an object, especially with some force. 'Tiró' is more about tossing away or discarding, and 'echó' often implies casting something into a specific location.
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