francotirador
/fɾankotiɾaˈdoɾ/masculine
The Spanish word for sniper is francotirador.
A francotirador refers to a person using long-range small arms for precise attacks from a concealed position.
Meaning: a person using long-range small arms for precise attacks from a concealed position (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is francotirador. To refer to a female sniper, change the final -o to -a to get francotiradora. To form the plural, add -es to the end of the word to get francotiradores.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɾankotiɾaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- The 'franco' in francotirador does not refer to the country of France or the dictator Francisco Franco, but comes from the word for 'free'.
- The word francotirador can be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe someone who makes a single, perfectly timed and devastating criticism.
- The verb tirar inside francotirador usually means 'to throw', but in this context it refers to 'firing' a weapon.
Examples in context
- Tom recibió un disparo en la cabeza de un francotirador.Tom got shot in the head by a sniper.This sentence is useful for showing the effect of a shot from a francotirador.Tatoeba #1619823 by Shishir, translation #1571120 by Spamster
- El francotirador fue abatiendo sus víctimas una por una.The sniper picked off his victims one by one.This sentence is useful for describing how a francotirador targets victims.Tatoeba #567828 by darinmex, translation #567827 by darinmex
- El ejército envió a un francotirador para garantizar la seguridad del dignatario.The army sent a sniper to ensure the dignitary's safety.
- Solo un tirador selecto podría haber realizado ese disparo.Only a sniper could have made that shot.
- ¡Increíble! ¿Viste ese francotirador en la película de acción?Incredible! Did you see that sniper in the action movie?
- Los videojuegos de guerra te permiten convertirte en un tirador de élite virtual.War video games allow you to become a virtual sniper.
- El francotirador vigilaba desde la colina.The sniper was watching from the hill.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a movie about war.
- SofíaMira ese francotirador, tiene una puntería increíble.Look at that sniper, he has incredible aim.
- AlejandroEs verdad, no falla ni un solo disparo.It is true, he does not miss a single shot.
- SofíaMe pregunto cuánto tiempo puede esperar allí.I wonder how long he can wait there.
- AlejandroUn francotirador debe tener mucha paciencia, Alejandro.A sniper must have a lot of patience, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sniper” translations and entries francotirador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
