Inklingo

How to Say "throw" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “throw” is “lanzar” — use 'lanzar' when you want to describe the general action of propelling an object through the air, like throwing a ball or a frisbee.

lanzar🔊A1

Use 'lanzar' when you want to describe the general action of propelling an object through the air, like throwing a ball or a frisbee.

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tire🔊A1

Use 'tirar' for the act of tossing an object, especially when you want to emphasize the action of letting go or throwing something away.

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lanzamiento🔊A2

Use 'lanzamiento' to refer to the physical act or event of throwing something, particularly in sports like javelin or discus, or a general powerful throw.

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eche🔊A2

Use 'echar' (in this imperative form) to describe casting or tossing something, often metaphorically, like adding fuel to a fire or throwing caution to the wind.

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tiro🔊B1

Use 'tiro' to refer to a specific instance of throwing or pitching, commonly used for shots in sports like soccer or basketball, or a gunshot.

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lance🔊B2

Use 'lance' to describe the skillful act of casting something, especially in fishing, where it refers to the throw of the net.

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English → Spanish

lanzar

lahn-ZAHRlanˈθaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'lanzar' when you want to describe the general action of propelling an object through the air, like throwing a ball or a frisbee.
A young person with a determined expression throwing a bright red ball high into the air.

Examples

El niño lanzó la pelota muy lejos.

The boy threw the ball very far.

Tenemos que lanzar el ancla antes de que empiece la tormenta.

We have to drop the anchor before the storm begins.

Spelling Change Rule (C to Z)

To keep the 's' sound consistent, 'lanzar' changes the 'z' to a 'c' whenever it is followed by the vowel 'e'. This only happens in the 'yo' form of the past simple (lancé) and in the special forms used for wishes and commands (subjunctive).

tire

TEE-rehˈti.ɾe

verbA1general
Use 'tirar' for the act of tossing an object, especially when you want to emphasize the action of letting go or throwing something away.
A child happily tossing a small red ball high into the blue sky.

Examples

Quiero que usted tire la pelota lejos.

I want you (formal) to throw the ball far away.

¡Tire la llave aquí, por favor!

Throw the key here, please!

Espero que no tire el vaso.

I hope I don't drop the glass.

What 'tire' means here

'Tire' is the special verb form (the subjunctive) used when you express desires, wishes, or uncertainty about someone else (yo, él, ella, or usted) throwing something.

The Formal Command

'Tire' is also the polite, formal command for 'you' (usted), meaning 'Throw!' or 'Toss!'

lanzamiento

lan-sah-MYEN-tohlanθaˈmjento

nounA2general/sports
Use 'lanzamiento' to refer to the physical act or event of throwing something, particularly in sports like javelin or discus, or a general powerful throw.
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.

Ganó la medalla de oro en el lanzamiento de jabalina.

He won the gold medal in the javelin throw.

El árbitro pitó un lanzamiento de falta.

The referee whistled for a free throw.

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).

eche

AY-chayˈe.t͡ʃe

verbA2idiomatic/figurative
Use 'echar' (in this imperative form) to describe casting or tossing something, often metaphorically, like adding fuel to a fire or throwing caution to the wind.
A high-quality storybook illustration of a cheerful character throwing a bright red ball high into the air in a green field.

Examples

¡Eche más leña al fuego, por favor!

Please, throw more wood onto the fire!

Mi madre quiere que yo eche menos sal a la sopa.

My mother wants me to put less salt in the soup.

No creo que eche gasolina hoy, el tanque está lleno.

I don't think I'll put gas in today, the tank is full.

A Form of the Verb 'echar'

'Eche' is the special verb form (subjunctive) used when you express a wish, a doubt, or a command directed at 'yo' (I), 'él/ella' (he/she), or 'usted' (the formal 'you').

Formal Command (Usted)

When giving a polite command to an adult or someone you don't know well, you use 'eche': 'Eche la basura' (Throw the garbage).

Confusing Eche and Echa

Mistake: “Using 'Echa usted la sal' (using the informal command form 'echa' for the formal 'usted').”

Correction: The formal command must use the subjunctive form: 'Eche usted la sal' (Please put in the salt).

tiro

TEE-rohˈtiɾo

nounB1sports/general
Use 'tiro' to refer to a specific instance of throwing or pitching, commonly used for shots in sports like soccer or basketball, or a gunshot.
A simplified illustration of a person's arm mid-motion, releasing a bright red ball that is flying through the air.

Examples

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.

lance

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

nounB2specific/fishing
Use 'lance' to describe the skillful act of casting something, especially in fishing, where it refers to the throw of the net.
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.

Verb vs. Noun Confusion

Learners often confuse the verbs 'lanzar' and 'tirar' with their noun forms 'lanzamiento' and 'tiro'. Remember that 'lanzar' and 'tirar' are actions (verbs), while 'lanzamiento' and 'tiro' are the results or events of those actions (nouns).

Related Translations

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