tirando
/tiɾando/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for pulling is tirando.
tirando is used to describe the act of exerting force on something to move it toward oneself. In many contexts, it serves as the direct opposite of the verb empujar, which means to push.
Which one should you use?
While tirando is the gerund used for the continuous action of pulling, if you wish to refer to a single sudden pull or a jerk, you should use the noun tirón.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund tirando is derived from the infinitive verb tirar. When you are pulling on a specific object, the verb is often followed by the preposition de, forming the phrase tirando de.
How do you pronounce it?
/tiɾando/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the phrase ir tirando is a common colloquialism meaning 'to get by' or 'to keep plodding along' in life, even if things are not going great.
- While tirando can mean pulling, it is also the gerund of tirar, which can mean 'to throw' in many contexts, such as 'tirando la pelota' (throwing the ball).
- The expression tirar la casa por la ventana literally means 'to throw the house through the window' and describes spending an extravagant amount of money.
Examples in context
- Tom le está tirando el pelo a Mary.Tom is pulling Mary's hair.This example shows how to use tirando when describing someone pulling hair.Tatoeba #1668978 by marcelostockle, translation #1662759 by Amastan
- ¿Quién está tirando de las cuerdas detras del escenario?Who's pulling the strings behind the scenes?This example uses tirando in a metaphorical sense regarding pulling strings.Tatoeba #5405220 by albrusgher, translation #241501 by CK
- La policía dice que hay alguien tirando de las cuerdas por detrás del escenario.The police say there's someone pulling string behind the scenes.This example demonstrates the use of tirando in a sentence about pulling strings behind the scenes.Tatoeba #5405224 by albrusgher, translation #282457 by CM
- Hala la cuerdaPull the rope
- Tire de la palancaPull the lever
- Le ruego que hale el cable hacia arriba.I request that you pull the cable up.
- ¡Ven y jala la puerta!Come and pull the door!
- Arrastra la cajaPull the box
- Vamos a arrastrar el sofá hacia la ventana.Let's pull the sofa towards the window.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are trying to move a heavy box in the living room.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿puedes ayudarme?Daniel, can you help me?
- DanielSí, ¿estás tirando de la caja hacia ti?Yes, are you pulling the box toward you?
- MaríaSí, pero es demasiado pesada.Yes, but it is too heavy.
- DanielYo también la estoy tirando con todas mis fuerzas.I am also pulling it with all my strength.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
