parar, tirarse y rodar
The fire safety rule stop, drop and roll is parar, tirarse y rodar in Spanish.
parar, tirarse y rodar names the rule that tells someone whose clothes catch fire to stop moving, drop to the ground and roll to put out the flames.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is three verbs in a row: parar (to stop), tirarse (to throw oneself down, to drop) and rodar (to roll).
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitives state the rule in general. When you give the command directly to one person, such as a child, say para, tírate y rueda. In polite commands, stop becomes Deténgase and roll becomes Ruede.
Did you know?
- The word rodar is also used in Spanish to describe the act of filming a movie, as in 'rolling' the camera.
- In Spanish, the verb tirarse literally means 'to throw oneself'. This is used instead of a direct translation of 'drop' because it emphasizes the active motion of hitting the ground.
- The word rodar is a cognate of the English word 'rotate'. Both share an ancestor in the Latin rotāre, which describes a circular motion.
Examples in context
- Si el fuego lo envuelve, deténgase, tire al suelo y ruede.If fire engulfs you, stop, drop to the ground, and roll.
- Si te quemas, detente, tírate al suelo y rueda.If you get burned, stop, drop to the ground, and roll.
- Si tu ropa se incendia, debes parar, tirarte y rodar.If your clothes catch fire, you must stop, drop, and roll.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are practicing a safety drill for kids.
- Lucía¿Cómo se dice la instrucción de seguridad?How do you say the safety instruction?
- JavierEs parar, tirarse y rodar, Lucía.It is stop, drop, and roll, Lucía.
- Lucía¿Me puedes enseñar el movimiento, Javier?Can you show me the movement, Javier?
- JavierClaro, mira cómo lo hago.Sure, watch how I do it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries parar, rodar, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
