sparare
/spaˈra.re/
The Italian verb for 'to shoot' is sparare.
The verb sparare is used to describe the act of firing a shot.
Meaning: to fire a shot (verb)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /spaˈra.re/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word sparare actually comes from an old culinary term meaning 'to prepare' or 'to set out' food. It is a strange linguistic accident that a word for preparing a meal evolved to mean firing a weapon.
- In Italian slang, sparare is used to mean 'to tell a lie' or 'to make something up', often seen in the phrase sparare una cavolata.
- When someone wants you to 'shoot' or 'go ahead and ask a question', they use the phrase spara pure.
Examples in context
- Non sparare a Tom.Don't shoot Tom.This sentence shows how to use sparare in a negative command.Tatoeba #4667529 by Guybrush88, translation #4667261 by CK
- Gli sto per sparare.I'm gonna shoot him.This sentence demonstrates the use of sparare to express an immediate intention.Tatoeba #1723278 by Guybrush88, translation #1341 by human600
- Le stavano per sparare.They were going to shoot her.This sentence illustrates how to use sparare in a past continuous context.Tatoeba #6215116 by Guybrush88, translation #3909565 by CH
- Ho fotografato un magnifico tramonto sulla spiaggia.I shot a magnificent sunset on the beach.
- La polizia ha sparato in aria per disperdere la folla.The police shot in the air to disperse the crowd.
- Ho scattato una foto di questa bellissima montagna.I shot a photo of this beautiful mountain.
- Voglio fare una foto di tutti noi insieme.I want to take a photo of all of us together.
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a scene in an action movie.
- FrancescoPerché il protagonista decide di sparare?Why does the protagonist decide to shoot?
- ChiaraLo fa per difendere l'amico, Francesco.He does it to defend his friend, Francesco.
- FrancescoMa era davvero necessario sparare?But was it really necessary to shoot?
- ChiaraSì, non aveva altra scelta, Chiara.Yes, she had no other choice, Chiara.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoot” translations and entries sparare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sparare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
