lanzar una pelota
/lanθaɾ una pelota/from spelling rules
To throw a ball in Spanish is lanzar una pelota.
The phrase is used to describe the action of propelling a round object through the air using one's hand.
Which one should you use?
lanzar una pelota is the standard way to express this action. In many Spanish-speaking regions, you may encounter the colloquial or informal alternative tirar una pelota.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb lanzar is a regular -ar verb. For example, in the third-person singular preterite (past tense), it becomes lanzó (as in lanzó una pelota, meaning 'he/she threw a ball').
How do you pronounce it?
/lanθaɾ una pelota/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word lanzar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'launch'. Both trace their origins back to the Latin word for 'spear'.
- In Spain, pelota is not just a generic word for 'ball' but refers to a specific category of high-speed court games, such as pelota vasca.
- While lanzar is the standard term for throwing, the colloquial tirar can also mean 'to pull' or 'to drag' in certain contexts and regions.
Examples in context
- Lanzar una pelota es una habilidad fundamental en muchos deportes de equipo.Throwing a ball is a fundamental skill in many team sports.
- El niño lanzó la pelota al perro.The boy threw the ball to the dog.
- Él quiere lanzar una pelota al perro.He wants to throw a ball to the dog.
- ¿Puedes lanzar una pelota para que yo la atrape?Can you throw a ball so I can catch it?
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are playing in the park.
- DanielLucía, ¿quieres lanzar una pelota conmigo?Lucía, do you want to throw a ball with me?
- LucíaSí, Daniel. ¡Lánzala tú primero!Yes, Daniel. You throw it first!
- DanielMira cómo voy a lanzar una pelota ahora.Look how I am going to throw a ball now.
- Lucía¡La lanzaste muy alto!You threw it very high!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lanzar, pelota, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
