tirador activo
/tiɾadoɾ aɡtibo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "active shooter" is translated into Spanish as tirador activo.
This phrase refers to a person who is actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area with a firearm.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tirador, meaning "shooter" or "marksman" and activo, meaning "active".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on gender and number. If the shooter is identified as female, use the feminine form tiradora activa. For a group of active shooters, use the masculine or mixed plural form tiradores activos.
How do you pronounce it?
/tiɾadoɾ aɡtibo/
Did you know?
- The word tirador shares its root with the verb tirar, which can mean 'to shoot' but also 'to throw' or 'to pull'.
- While tirador activo is used in news reports, you might hear persona armada (armed person) in many Spanish-speaking countries to describe a similar threat during an emergency.
- The word tirador shares a common ancestor with the English word 'draw', from the Proto-Indo-European root *der- which relates to pulling or pulling out something.
Examples in context
- La policía busca al tirador activo.The police are looking for the active shooter.
- Hubo un reporte de un tirador activo en el centro.There was a report of an active shooter downtown.
- Mantengan la calma durante la situación del tirador activo.Stay calm during the active shooter situation.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a news report over the phone.
- Daniel¿Escuchaste lo que pasó en la escuela?Did you hear what happened at the school?
- MaríaSí, dijeron que había un tirador activo.Yes, they said there was an active shooter.
- DanielQué miedo, espero que todos estén bien.How scary, I hope everyone is okay.
- MaríaYo también, es una noticia terrible.Me too, it is terrible news.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries activo, tirador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
