tiroteo
/tiɾoˈteo/
The English phrase 'shootout' is translated into Spanish as tiroteo.
tiroteo is used to describe a situation in which two or more groups shoot guns at each other.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of tiro (shot) and the suffix -eo, which denotes a repetitive or continuous action, making the word literally mean a series of shots.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term tiroteo is commonly used to refer to a shootout.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of tiroteo is tiroteos.
How do you pronounce it?
/tiɾoˈteo/
Did you know?
- The English word 'tirade', meaning a long angry speech, shares a surprising linguistic ancestor with the Spanish tiroteo through the Portuguese tiroteio.
- In sports contexts, a 'shootout' to decide a winner is not called a tiroteo, but is instead referred to as tanda de penaltis in football or desempate in other sports.
- In many Spanish-speaking news reports, you might hear the word balacera used instead of tiroteo to describe a shootout involving many rapid shots.
Examples in context
- El tiroteo tuvo lugar en el centro de la ciudadThe shootout took place in the city center
- En la película, hubo una impresionante balacera entre los personajesIn the movie, there was an impressive shootout between the characters
- El informe policial describía un tiroteo violento en la fronteraThe police report described a violent shootout at the border
- Ayer hubo una espectacular balacera entre pandillas en el barrioYesterday, there was a spectacular shootout between gangs in the neighborhood
- Hubo un tiroteo en el centro de la ciudad.There was a shootout in the city center.
- Hubo un tiroteo en la calle principal.There was a shootout on the main street.
- La policía informó sobre un tiroteo ayer.The police reported a shootout yesterday.
- El tiroteo ocurrió cerca del centro comercial.The shootout occurred near the shopping mall.
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing the news on the radio.
- María¿Escuchaste sobre el tiroteo en las noticias?Did you hear about the shootout on the news?
- JavierNo, María, ¿qué pasó exactamente?No, María, what exactly happened?
- MaríaDicen que hubo un tiroteo muy fuerte.They say there was a very heavy shootout.
- JavierQué terrible, espero que todos estén bien.How terrible, I hope everyone is okay.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tiroteo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tiroteo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
