apretar el gatillo
/apɾetaɾ el ɡatiʝo/from spelling rules
To pull the trigger in Spanish is apretar el gatillo.
The phrase apretar el gatillo is used both literally to mean firing a weapon and figuratively to describe taking a decisive, often irreversible, action.
Meaning: to fire (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of apretar (to squeeze/press) and el gatillo (the trigger).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the verb apretar is used instead of tirar (to pull) because the physical action of firing a gun is described as squeezing the trigger mechanism.
How do you pronounce it?
/apɾetaɾ el ɡatiʝo/
Did you know?
- The word gatillo contains a diminutive suffix, -illo, which is traditionally used to express affection or smallness, making the word for 'trigger' literally a 'little cat'.
Examples in context
- Tom no tuvo el valor de apretar el gatillo.Tom didn't have the courage to pull the trigger.This sentence is useful for seeing how to express a lack of courage when using apretar el gatillo.Tatoeba #1232352 by Shishir, translation #1026388 by CK
- El soldado apretó el gatillo y efectuó el disparoThe soldier pulled the trigger and fired the shot
- El cazador no quiso apretar el gatillo.The hunter did not want to pull the trigger.
- Fue difícil apretar el gatillo en ese momento.It was difficult to pull the trigger at that moment.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a scene in an action movie.
- DanielMira, el villano va a apretar el gatillo.Look, the villain is going to pull the trigger.
- Sofía¡No, Daniel! ¡Espera a que llegue el héroe!No, Daniel! Wait for the hero to arrive!
- DanielDemasiado tarde, ya apretó el gatillo.Too late, he already pulled the trigger.
- SofíaQué final tan triste para el personaje, Sofía.What a sad ending for the character, Sofia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pull the trigger” translations and entries apretar el gatillo, 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 apretar, el, gatillo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
