pistola
/pisˈtola/feminine
The English word "gun" is translated into Spanish as pistola. Wiktionary also lists charpe.
Meaning: portable, short weapon, for hand use (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pistola | /pisˈtola/ | feminine |
| charpe | /t͡ʃaɾpe/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to a portable, short weapon intended for hand use. While pistola is the most common way to refer to a handgun, it specifically refers to a pistol rather than a long gun like a rifle.
Which one should you use?
pistola refers specifically to a pistol, whereas other terms might be used for different types of weaponry.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word escopeta is often used to refer to a shotgun. In Mexico, cuerno de chivo is a slang term used to refer to an AK-47.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
pistola is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/pisˈtola/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the word hierro (iron) is used as street slang to refer to a gun.
- The word pistola shares an unexpected ancestor with the Czech word píšťala, which literally means a 'tube' or 'pipe'.
- In Spanish, the phrase está armada can describe a person carrying a pistola or a complex system that is 'set up'.
Examples in context
- Tom soltó la pistola.Tom put the gun down.This sentence shows how to express the action of putting a pistola down.Tatoeba #5840306 by arh, translation #5840019 by CK
- Ten tu pistola a mano.Keep your gun handy.This sentence demonstrates the phrase for keeping a pistola nearby.Tatoeba #4554705 by swyter, translation #3729746 by CM
- Él no tiene una pistola.He doesn't have a gun.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone does not possess a pistola.Tatoeba #3191662 by cueyayotl, translation #3176257 by CH
- Él lleva una pistola para defensa personal.He carries a pistol for self-defense
- La policía confiscó varias armas de fuego.The police confiscated several firearms
- Él guarda un revólver en un cajón cerrado con llave.He keeps a revolver in a locked drawer
- Enseñó su nueva pistola.He showed off his new gun
- La caza con fusil requiere habilidad y paciencia.Hunting with a rifle requires skill and patience
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A movie set during a rehearsal.
- ElenaMateo, ¿dónde está la pistola?Mateo, where is the gun?
- MateoEstá sobre la mesa, Elena.It is on the table, Elena.
- ElenaPerfecto, la usaré para la escena.Perfect, I will use it for the scene.
- MateoTen cuidado con esa pistola.Be careful with that gun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gun” translations and entries pistola, charpe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pistola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
