disparar un arma
/dispaɾaɾ un aɾma/from spelling rules
To shoot gun in Spanish is disparar un arma.
The phrase refers to the act of firing a weapon by pulling the trigger. You can also use the more concise verb disparar to mean simply 'to shoot'.
Which one should you use?
While disparar un arma is a general way to say shoot a gun, you might use disparar on its own to mean 'to shoot'. If your intent is to aim, use apuntar and if you are referring to the act of reloading, use recargar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may use disparar una escopeta to specifically refer to shooting a shotgun. In Mexico, the slang term echar plomazos is used to convey the act of shooting a gun.
How do you pronounce it?
/dispaɾaɾ un aɾma/
Did you know?
- While disparar means to shoot a gun, it is also the standard word used for 'starting' a race in athletics or 'launching' a rocket.
- In some Spanish contexts, disparar can be used metaphorically to describe a sudden and rapid increase in prices or numbers, similar to the English phrase 'skyrocket'.
- The verb disparar originally meant 'to separate' or 'to make unequal' in its Latinized form. This is a far cry from its modern meaning of 'to shoot'.
Examples in context
- Él no sabe cómo disparar un arma.He does not know how to shoot a gun.
- Es peligroso disparar un arma sin permiso.It is dangerous to shoot a gun without permission.
- Ellos quieren disparar un arma de práctica.They want to shoot a practice gun.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are at a supervised shooting range.
- Lucía¿Puedo disparar un arma hoy, Daniel?Can I shoot a gun today, Daniel?
- DanielSí, pero debes tener mucho cuidado.Yes, but you must be very careful.
- LucíaEntiendo, quiero aprender a disparar un arma correctamente.I understand, I want to learn to shoot a gun correctly.
- DanielEl instructor te ayudará con eso.The instructor will help you with that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arma, disparar, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
