tirar los dados
/tiɾaɾ los dados/from spelling rules
To roll the dice in Spanish is tirar los dados.
This phrase is used to describe the action of throwing dice to determine a random outcome in a game.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tirar (to throw) and the noun phrase los dados (the dice).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Spanish-speaking regions, echar los dados is used as a synonym for tirar los dados.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of the phrase in the first person singular is tiré los dados, which means "I rolled the dice".
How do you pronounce it?
/tiɾaɾ los dados/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word dado for 'die' comes from the Latin word for 'given', because the outcome of the roll is seen as something given by fate.
- While many learners expect to use the verb rodar for 'to roll' as in English, using it for dice in Spanish would sound like the dice are physically rolling across a floor like a ball.
- If you are playing a game in Spain and someone says ¡Tira!, they are not just telling you to 'throw', but are often prompting you to take your turn.
Examples in context
- En el juego de mesa, debes tirar los dados para avanzar tu ficha.In the board game, you must roll the dice to advance your piece.
- ¡Es tu turno! Ahora debes lanzar los dados.It's your turn! Now you have to roll the dice.
- Es hora de tirar los dados para ver quién gana.It is time to roll the dice to see who wins.
- Es tu turno de tirar los dados.It is your turn to roll the dice.
- Primero tienes que tirar los dados.First, you have to roll the dice.
- No quiero tirar los dados todavía.I don't want to roll the dice yet.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are playing a board game at a cafe.
- LucíaDaniel, te toca tirar los dados.Daniel, it's your turn to roll the dice.
- DanielEstá bien, voy a tirar los dados.Okay, I am going to roll the dice.
- Lucía¡Qué suerte tienes!You are so lucky!
- DanielSí, saqué un número muy alto.Yes, I rolled a very high number.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
