pum pum
/pum pum/from spelling rules
The English phrase "pow pow" is expressed in Spanish as pum pum.
pum pum is an onomatopoeia used to imitate the sound of a gun firing.
Which one should you use?
While the English-style "pow pow" is often understood due to English influence, pum pum is the more natural and standard onomatopoeia for a gunshot in Spanish. Another informal way to describe this sound is ¡Paf Paf!
How do you pronounce it?
/pum pum/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, saying pum can be used colloquially to describe something happening suddenly or a surprise 'hit' in a conversation.
- The onomatopoeia pum pum is also frequently used in Spanish music lyrics to mimic the rhythmic beat of a drum or a bass kick.
- While English speakers use 'pow', Spanish speakers often use pum to describe not just gunshots, but also the sound of a heavy object hitting the floor or a loud thud.
Examples in context
- Los niños jugaban con pistolas de juguete y se oían ¡Paf Paf! por todas partes.The children were playing with toy guns, and ¡Paf Paf! could be heard everywhere.
- El niño hace pum pum con su juguete.The boy goes pow pow with his toy.
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a pretend game.
- María¡Pum pum! Te disparé, Alejandro.Bang bang! I shot you, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¡Ay! Me diste en el brazo.Ouch! You hit me in the arm.
- MaríaAhora te toca a ti, María.Now it's your turn, María.
- Alejandro¡Toma esto! ¡Pum pum!Take this! Bang bang!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
