Inklingo

How to Say "to fire" in Spanish

English → Spanish

despedir

/des-peh-DEER//des.peˈðiɾ/

verbB2formal
Use 'despedir' when formally dismissing an employee from their job.
A stern manager stands opposite a sad employee who is holding a small cardboard box containing their personal items.

Examples

Despidieron a Juan por llegar tarde todos los días.

They fired Juan for being late every day.

El jefe me dijo que si no mejoro, me despide.

The boss told me that if I don't improve, he will fire me.

Stem-Changing Verb

In many forms (like 'yo despido'), the 'e' in the stem changes to 'i'. This is a common pattern for 'ir' verbs like 'pedir' (to ask) and 'servir' (to serve).

echar

/eh-CHAR//eˈt͡ʃaɾ/

verbB1informal
Use 'echar' when informally dismissing someone from a job or kicking them out of a place.
A sad person stands outside a closed door labeled 'Office', holding a small cardboard box with a plant, symbolizing dismissal.

Examples

Lo echaron del trabajo por llegar tarde todos los días.

They fired him from the job for arriving late every day.

Si sigues haciendo ruido, te van a echar de la biblioteca.

If you keep making noise, they are going to kick you out of the library.

Usage with Reflexive Pronouns

When used with a reflexive pronoun (like 'me echaron'), it often implies 'I was the one who was fired' or 'They threw me out.'

tirar

/tee-RAHR//tiˈɾaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'tirar' specifically when referring to the act of shooting a weapon.
A simple illustration of an arrow hitting the center bullseye of a circular target attached to a hay bale.

Examples

El cazador tuvo que tirar para defenderse.

The hunter had to shoot to defend himself.

¿Puedes tirarme una foto con mi teléfono?

Can you take a picture of me with my phone?

El ladrón tiró al aire para asustarlos.

The thief shot into the air to scare them.

Photo Usage

In many regions, 'tomar una foto' or 'sacar una foto' is more universally understood for taking pictures, but 'tirar una foto' is very common in places like Mexico and Central America.

Job Dismissal vs. Shooting

The most common mistake is using 'tirar' when referring to firing someone from a job. Remember that 'tirar' only means to shoot a weapon, while 'despedir' and 'echar' are used for ending employment.

Related Translations

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