al suelo
/al swelo/from spelling rules
To say "get on the ground" in Spanish, the default form is al suelo.
This phrase is a high-urgency command used by police or military personnel during tactical situations to order someone to lie flat on the floor immediately. It can be used as a short, sharp exclamation: ¡Al suelo!
How does it change in a sentence?
In a command or emergency situation, the phrase is often used as an exclamation by itself, equivalent to "Get on the ground!" The form Tírate is the informal command form of the verb tirar meaning "throw yourself".
Did you know?
- Depending on the country, a speaker might swap suelo for piso in the phrase ¡Al piso!, which can cause confusion since piso also means 'apartment' or 'story' of a building.
- While al suelo is the standard command, the verb tirar used in the alternative tírate is the same word used to tell someone to 'throw away' trash.
- The word suelo is also used in economics to describe a 'price floor' or the minimum acceptable level of a value.
Examples in context
- Por favor, colóquese en el suelo y ponga las manos detrás de la cabezaPlease, get on the ground and put your hands behind your head.
- ¡Tírate al suelo ahora mismo antes de que te lastimes!Get on the ground right now before you hurt yourself!
- ¡Tírate al suelo!Get on the ground!
- ¡Al suelo, no te muevas!To the ground, don't move!
Example conversation
A simulated emergency drill at an office.
- Daniel¡Al suelo, Elena!Get on the ground, Elena!
- Elena¡Ya estoy aquí abajo!I'm already down here!
- DanielCúbrete la cabeza.Cover your head.
- ElenaEstá bien, Daniel.Okay, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
