What does it mean word for word?
dispárale is a combination of the imperative verb disparar (to shoot) and the indirect object pronoun le (to him/her/it).
Which one should you use?
The informal expression Tírale can mean 'shoot it' or 'give it a shot', and in Mexico or Central America, the informal phrase métela is used to mean 'shoot it' in a sporting context. Additionally, Sácale una foto is an informal way to say 'take a photo of it'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico or Central America, the phrase métela is used informally in sports to mean 'shoot it'.
How does it change in a sentence?
dispárale uses the imperative mood for the informal 'tú' second-person singular. Furthermore, if the target of the shooting is a direct object, such as a specific object or a male person/animal, the pronoun changes from 'le' to 'lo', resulting in dispáralo.
How do you pronounce it?
/dispaɾale/
Did you know?
- In some Caribbean dialects, the informal tírale is used not just for weapons or sports, but as a slang command to start dancing or to begin a bold action in a social setting.
- The word disparar shares a root with words for 'uneven' or 'disjointed' in other Romance languages. Originally, it referred to the act of releasing a tension or a spring, which is how a trigger mechanism functions.
- If you are using 'dispáralo' to refer to a person, you might accidentally sound like you are treating them as an inanimate object rather than a human being.
Examples in context
- Durante la ceremonia, por favor, fotografíalo con la bandera de fondo.During the ceremony, please take a picture of it with the flag in the background.
- ¡Tírale al aro y anota un punto!Shoot it into the hoop and score a point!
- Sácale una foto a ese hermoso atardecer, ¡no te arrepentirás!Take a picture of that beautiful sunset, you won't regret it!
- ¡Dispárale al animal!Shoot the animal!
- Si ves al intruso, dispárale.If you see the intruder, shoot him.
- No lo dudes, dispárale.Don't hesitate, shoot him.
Example conversation
In a hunting forest, Elena and Daniel are tracking game.
- Elena¡Mira aquel ciervo, Daniel!Look at that deer, Daniel!
- DanielEstá muy lejos.It is very far away.
- Elena¡No, dispárale ahora!No, shoot it now!
- DanielEstá bien, lo haré.Alright, I will do it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
