boca del cañón
/boka del kaɲon/from spelling rules
The phrase for the muzzle of a gun in Spanish is boca del cañón.
This phrase refers specifically to the open end of a gun barrel from which a projectile exits.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, boca del cañón translates to 'mouth of the cannon'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you might also hear people use boca de un arma or boca de una pistola to refer to the muzzle of a gun.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific gun's muzzle, the definite article la is typically used before the phrase, as in la boca del cañón.
Did you know?
- The word boca in this phrase originates from the Latin word bucca, which actually means 'cheek'.
- In Spanish, the word cañón is used for both the muzzle of a modern rifle and the massive artillery pieces used in historical warfare.
- Spanish uses the word for 'mouth' boca for several openings, such as the entrance to a cave or a subway station, not just for guns.
Examples in context
- Revisa la boca del fierro antes de disparar.Check the muzzle of the gun before shooting.
- El proyectil salió disparado por la boca del cañón.The projectile shot out from the muzzle of the gun.
- El fuego salió de la boca del cañón.The fire came out of the muzzle of the gun.
- No apuntes con la boca del cañón hacia mí.Do not point the muzzle of the gun at me.
- Se puede ver humo en la boca del cañón.You can see smoke at the muzzle of the gun.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are at a shooting range taking a safety lesson.
- MateoMira, la boca del cañón siempre debe apuntar hacia abajo.Look, the muzzle of the gun must always point downward.
- SofíaEntendido, Mateo. Lo tendré en cuenta.Understood, Mateo. I will keep that in mind.
- Mateo¿Ves cómo se ve la boca del cañón desde aquí?Do you see how the muzzle of the gun looks from here?
- SofíaSí, ahora lo veo claramente, gracias.Yes, I see it clearly now, thanks.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boca, cañón, del, CC BY-SA 4.0.
