How to Say "to throw" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to throw” is “tirar” — use 'tirar' when you are projecting an object, often in a playful or repetitive way, like playing catch or tossing something around.
tirar
tee-RAHRtiˈɾaɾ
Examples
El niño no paraba de tirar la pelota.
The boy wouldn't stop throwing the ball.
Necesitas tirar esta caja vieja a la basura.
You need to throw this old box in the trash.
El viento tiró el árbol durante la tormenta.
The wind knocked down the tree during the storm.
Using 'Tirar' for Trash
When talking about throwing something away, you often use the construction 'tirar a la basura' (throw to the trash).
Throwing vs. Dropping
Mistake: “Using 'tirar' when you mean 'to drop' something accidentally.”
Correction: Use 'dejar caer' or 'se me cayó'. 'Tirar' implies intention.
echar
eh-CHAReˈt͡ʃaɾ
Examples
Ella echó la pelota al perro en el parque.
She threw the ball to the dog in the park.
Por favor, echa la basura en el contenedor azul.
Please, throw the trash in the blue container.
Literal Action
In its most basic use, 'echar' simply means moving an object through the air, similar to 'tirar' but often implying a less forceful or less destructive action.
arrojar
ah-roh-HAHRaroˈxar
Examples
El atleta arrojó la jabalina muy lejos.
The athlete threw the javelin very far.
No arrojes basura al suelo.
Don't throw trash on the ground.
Se arrojó al agua para salvar al niño.
He threw himself into the water to save the child.
Arrojar vs. Tirar
'Arrojar' is more formal and implies more force or violence than the common word 'tirar'.
Action vs. Movement
When you use it with 'se' (arrojarse), it means the person is jumping or diving into a place.
Confusing with Arrodillar
Mistake: “Me arrojo para rezar.”
Correction: Me arrodillo para rezar. (Arrojar is to throw; arrodillar is to kneel).
Choosing Between 'Tirar' and 'Echar'
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