diana
/ˈdjana/
The English phrase bullseye is translated into Spanish as diana.
diana refers to the center of a target. To express the action of hitting the bullseye, Spanish speakers use the phrase dar en la diana. While diana is used for physical targets, the idiomatic expression dar en el clavo is used metaphorically to mean hitting the bullseye or hitting the nail on the head in a conversation or situation.
Meaning: centre of a target (noun)
Which one should you use?
When referring to a physical target, you use diana. If you want to say you hit the center, you can use the alternative phrase dar en el centro.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, centro de la diana is an alternative way of referring to the bullseye.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdjana/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, diana can refer to a 'reveille' or wake-up call, stemming from an old Italian phrase meaning 'to beat the Diana star'.
Examples in context
- Necesitas tener buena puntería para dar en el centro de la diana.You need to have good aim to hit the bullseye.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use diana in the context of hitting a target.Tatoeba #9834416 by Shishir, translation #10276731 by LimeGreenTeknii
- La flecha golpeó justo en la diana.The arrow hit right in the bullseye.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are playing darts.
- AlejandroMira, María, ¡le di a la diana!Look, María, I hit the bullseye!
- María¡Qué suerte tienes, Alejandro!You are so lucky, Alejandro!
- AlejandroNo es suerte, es mi gran puntería.It is not luck, it is my great aim.
- MaríaAhora es mi turno de lanzar.Now it is my turn to throw.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry diana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
