asaltado a punta de pistola
/asaltado a punta de pistola/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'robbed at gunpoint' is translated into Spanish as asaltado a punta de pistola.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone's money or valuables are stolen through the threat of a firearm. It is more specific than saying someone was robbed a mano armada (armed), which could refer to any weapon like a knife.
What does it mean word for word?
The component a punta de pistola literally translates to 'at the point of a gun'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you may hear Me atracaron con un fierro or Me atracaron con una pistola to express being robbed at gunpoint. In Spain, the expressions Fui atracado(a) a punta de pistola and Me atracaron a punta de pistola are used to describe the same situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word asaltado is a past participle and must agree in gender and number with the person who was robbed. For example, you would use asaltada for a female and asaltados for a group.
How do you pronounce it?
/asaltado a punta de pistola/
Did you know?
- The word pistola has a highly unexpected origin, descending from the Czech word píšťala, which originally meant a 'pipe' or a 'tube'.
- The verb asaltar shares the same root as the word for a military 'assault' or a sudden 'jump', emphasizing the surprise and violence of the crime.
- While asaltado and atracado both mean 'robbed', speakers in Spain often use atracar to specifically imply a more physical or violent encounter.
Examples in context
- Fue asaltado a punta de pistola en la calle.He was robbed at gunpoint in the street.
- El hombre fue asaltado a punta de pistola ayer.The man was robbed at gunpoint yesterday.
- Cuidado, alguien fue asaltado a punta de pistola aquí.Be careful, someone was robbed at gunpoint here.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are talking about a news report in a cafe.
- María¿Viste la noticia sobre el banco?Did you see the news about the bank?
- DanielSí, un cliente fue asaltado a punta de pistola.Yes, a customer was robbed at gunpoint.
- MaríaQué miedo, Daniel, es muy peligroso.How scary, Daniel, it is very dangerous.
- DanielEs verdad, hay que tener mucho cuidado.It's true, we have to be very careful.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, de, pistola, punta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
