tirar la basura
/tiɾaɾ la basuɾa/from spelling rules
To say "discard the trash" in Spanish, use tirar la basura.
The phrase tirar la basura is used to describe the act of discarding waste. You may also encounter the alternative echar la basura in many Spanish-speaking regions.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb tirar literally means "to throw" or "to throw away", which is why it is used for the act of throwing something away.
Which one should you use?
While tirar la basura is the most common way to say "discard the trash", echar la basura is a common alternative used in many Spanish-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to command a single person informally (the tú form), use tira la basura.
How do you pronounce it?
/tiɾaɾ la basuɾa/
Did you know?
- The phrase tirar la casa por la ventana uses the same verb as tirar la basura but means to spend money lavishly, literally 'throwing the house out the window'.
- While tirar la basura means 'to throw away trash', using tirar with a person as the object can be a slang term for 'to dump' a romantic partner.
- While tirar la basura means to throw the trash away, the verb tirar can also mean 'to pull' or 'to drag' in many contexts.
Examples in context
- Oye, ¿botamos la basura?Hey, shall we throw away the trash?
- Tienes que tirar la basura ahora.You have to discard the trash now.
- Yo voy a tirar la basura.I am going to discard the trash.
- ¿Puedes tirar la basura, por favor?Can you discard the trash, please?
Example conversation
A couple is preparing to leave the house.
- JavierLucía, ¿puedes tirar la basura?Lucía, can you discard the trash?
- LucíaSí, Javier, lo haré de inmediato.Yes, Javier, I will do it immediately.
- JavierGracias, la bolsa está muy llena.Thanks, the bag is very full.
- LucíaNo hay problema, ya voy.No problem, I'm going now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
