tirar
/tiˈɾaɾ/
The Spanish verb for 'pull' is tirar. Wiktionary also lists jalar and chejear.
Meaning: transitive: apply force to (something) so it comes towards one (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tirar | /tiˈɾaɾ/ | |
| jalar | /xaˈlaɾ/ | |
| chejear | /t͡ʃexeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | El Salvador |
The primary meaning of these terms is to apply force to something so that it moves towards oneself. The related noun tirón is used to describe the act of a single, sudden pull or a tug.
Which one should you use?
tirar is the standard verb for 'to pull' used across most Spanish-speaking regions. In many Latin American countries, particularly Mexico and parts of Central and South America, jalar is a common alternative. In El Salvador, you may also encounter chejear.
Is it said differently in some regions?
jalar is widely used throughout Latin America. chejear is specific to El Salvador.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are pulling a specific object, such as a handle or a rope, tirar is often used with the preposition de (tirar de).
How do you pronounce it?
/tiˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- While tirar is the most common way to say 'to pull', it is also the standard verb used for 'to throw' or 'to cast' in many contexts.
- The phrase tirar la casa por la ventana literally means 'to pull the house through the window' and describes spending money lavishly.
- The verb jalar is so common in parts of Mexico that it is often used to mean 'to work' or 'to function' in certain slang contexts, such as 'it pulls' (meaning 'it works').
Examples in context
- Voy a tirar del freno de emergencia.I'm going to pull the emergency brake.This sentence shows how to use tirar when pulling an object like a brake.Tatoeba #10017724 by Shishir, translation #10596652 by DJ_Saidez
- No le puedo tirar el pelo a Taninna. Ella es mucho más alta que yo.I cannot pull Taninna's hair. She's much taller than me.This sentence demonstrates using tirar in the context of pulling hair.Tatoeba #1687293 by marcelostockle, translation #1686888 by Amastan
- Nosotros tres solíamos tirarnos las noches en vela en Yumezaki todo el tiempo.The three of us used to pull all-nighters at Yumezaki all the time.This sentence uses tirar in an idiomatic sense regarding pulling all-nighters.Tatoeba #4931649 by Lisandro586, translation #4931648 by Lisandro586
- El empleado jaló la puerta para abrirla.The employee pulled the door to open it.
- El mesero tiró suavemente de la silla para acomodarla.The waiter gently pulled the chair to rearrange it.
- Por favor, dé un halón al cordón rojo.Please give a pull to the red cord.
- ¡Ven y jala la cuerda para abrir la cortina!Come and pull the rope to open the curtain!
- Tira de la palanca para activar la máquina.Pull the lever to activate the machine.
- Agarra el mango y tira hacia ti.Pull the handle towards you.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are trying to open a stuck door.
- JavierNo abre, hay que tirar con fuerza.It won't open, we have to pull with force.
- MaríaIntenta tirar de la manilla de nuevo.Try pulling the handle again.
- JavierYa tiré, pero sigue trabada.I already pulled, but it's still stuck.
- MaríaDéjame intentar a mí.Let me try.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pull” translations and entries tirar, jalar, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
