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A2 verb #2,500 le plus courant 7 min de lecture

tirar

At the A1 level, 'tirar' is introduced in its most basic physical sense: throwing an object or discarding trash. Students learn it as a regular -ar verb. The focus is on simple sentences like 'Yo tiro la pelota' (I throw the ball) or 'Tira el papel' (Throw the paper). At this stage, learners are encouraged to associate 'tirar' with the act of getting rid of something that is no longer useful. It is often taught alongside household chores and basic classroom instructions. The goal is to recognize the verb in the present tense and understand its most literal meaning without worrying about complex idioms or prepositions.
At the A2 level, the meaning of 'tirar' expands to include 'to pull,' which is crucial for navigating public spaces (reading signs on doors). Students learn the difference between 'tirar' (pull) and 'empujar' (push). The use of the preposition 'de' becomes important: 'tirar de la puerta.' Learners also begin to see 'tirar' in the context of sports (shooting a ball) and simple phrasal uses like 'tirar la basura.' The distinction between 'tirar' and 'echar' is introduced, helping students understand that 'tirar' usually implies discarding waste. Simple past tense usage (Preterite) is also mastered here.
By B1, students encounter 'tirar' in common idiomatic expressions and more nuanced contexts. The phrase 'tirar la toalla' (to give up) is a staple of this level. Learners also start using 'tirarse' (the pronominal form) to describe jumping into water or lying down. The concept of 'tirar' meaning 'to last' or 'to function' (e.g., 'Este móvil todavía tira') is introduced in colloquial contexts. Students are expected to use 'tirar' correctly in various tenses, including the imperfect and the present subjunctive, and to understand its role in more complex sentence structures involving multiple objects.
At the B2 level, learners master more sophisticated idioms such as 'tirar la casa por la ventana' (to spend lavishly) and 'tirar de contactos' (to use connections). They understand the subtle differences between 'tirar,' 'lanzar,' and 'arrojar' in terms of register and intensity. The use of 'tirar' in the sense of 'attracting' or 'pulling' (metaphorically) is explored, such as a place that 'tira mucho' (has a strong draw). Students can use the verb fluently in hypothetical situations using the conditional and past subjunctive, and they are aware of regional variations like 'jalar' vs. 'tirar' and 'botar' vs. 'tirar.'
C1 learners explore the deep colloquial and technical uses of 'tirar.' This includes 'tirar' meaning 'to print' (in the context of a print run/tirada) and 'tirar' as a synonym for 'to tend toward' (e.g., 'un color que tira a verde'). They understand the nuance of 'tirar de' when it means to rely on something or someone as a resource. The register becomes important; they know when 'tirar' is too informal and when 'desechar' or 'impulsar' would be more appropriate. They can also interpret complex literary uses where 'tirar' might describe the trajectory of a life or the tension in a relationship.
At the C2 level, the speaker has a near-native grasp of 'tirar' in all its forms, including obscure idioms like 'tirar por la calle de en medio' (to take the most direct or drastic course of action) or 'tirar de la manta' (to blow the whistle/reveal a secret). They understand the etymological roots and how they influence modern usage. The speaker can use 'tirar' to convey irony, sarcasm, or high-level metaphorical concepts. They are also fully aware of the socio-linguistic implications of using 'tirar' in different Spanish-speaking regions and can adapt their vocabulary perfectly to the audience, whether in a formal academic setting or a highly informal street environment.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

tirar en 30 secondes

  • Primary meaning: To throw away or discard (e.g., trash).
  • Secondary meaning: To pull (e.g., a door or rope), usually with 'de'.
  • Sporting context: To shoot or throw a ball toward a target.
  • Colloquial use: To function, endure, or flirt (in specific idioms).

The Spanish verb tirar is a linguistic powerhouse, primarily known to beginners as the equivalent of 'to throw away' or 'to discard.' However, its semantic range is vast, stretching from physical actions like pulling a door to metaphorical concepts like wasting an opportunity. At its core, tirar involves the application of force to move an object, either away from oneself (throwing) or toward oneself (pulling). This duality makes it one of the most versatile verbs in the Spanish language, essential for daily navigation in any Spanish-speaking country.

Physical Discarding
The most common A2 usage: removing something no longer needed. 'Tengo que tirar estos zapatos viejos.'
Directional Force (Pull)
In many regions, especially Spain, tirar is the standard word for 'to pull' (as opposed to jalar in parts of Latin America). You will see this on doors everywhere.
Projectile Motion
To throw an object through the air, such as a ball or a stone. 'Tiró la pelota muy lejos.'

"No tires la toalla todavía; apenas estamos empezando el proyecto y hay mucho por hacer."

— Common idiomatic usage meaning 'to give up'.

Understanding tirar requires recognizing the preposition that follows it. When you see tirar de, it almost always means 'to pull.' When you see tirar a, it often refers to aiming or throwing toward a target. This subtle shift in syntax completely alters the physical mechanics of the verb. In a domestic context, tirar de la cadena refers to flushing the toilet—a remnant of the days when one literally pulled a chain hanging from a high tank.

¿Puedes tirar la basura antes de salir de casa?

Beyond the physical, tirar enters the realm of survival and endurance. In colloquial Spanish, asking '¿Cómo vas?' might yield the response 'Ahí voy, tirando,' which translates roughly to 'I'm getting by' or 'I'm hanging in there.' This usage reflects a sense of pulling oneself through life's challenges. It is also used in the context of technology; a computer that 'tira bien' is one that runs software smoothly and efficiently, pulling the load of the processing requirements without lag.

El niño tiró las piedras al río para ver las ondas.

Tirar la casa por la ventana
To spare no expense, literally 'to throw the house through the window.'
Tirar los tejos
To flirt with someone or 'make a move.'

Si tiras de la cuerda con demasiada fuerza, se romperá.

Mi abuelo siempre tira de recuerdos para enseñarnos lecciones.

Using tirar correctly involves mastering its three main grammatical structures. First, as a transitive verb (Verb + Direct Object), it means to throw or discard. Second, when followed by the preposition de, it means to pull. Third, in its pronominal form tirarse, it means to throw oneself (like jumping into a pool) or, colloquially, to lie down or spend a long time doing something.

  • Transitive (Discard/Throw): Tira los papeles en la papelera. (Throw the papers in the bin.)
  • Prepositional (Pull): Tira de la palanca para abrir. (Pull the lever to open.)
  • Pronominal (Jump/Leap): Se tiró al agua desde el trampolín. (He jumped into the water from the diving board.)

In terms of conjugation, tirar is a perfectly regular -ar verb. This makes it a reliable friend for learners. In the present tense, it follows the standard pattern: tiro, tiras, tira, tiramos, tiráis, tiran. In the preterite: tiré, tiraste, tiró, tiramos, tirasteis, tiraron. Because it is regular, you can focus entirely on the context and the prepositions rather than worrying about stem changes or irregular endings.

Present: Yo tiro la basura.
Preterite: Yo tiré la basura.
Imperfect: Yo tiraba la basura.
Future: Yo tiraré la basura.

When using tirar to mean 'to pull,' remember that it implies a physical effort. If you are pulling a suitcase, you are tirando de la maleta. If you are pulling a friend's arm to get their attention, you are tirando de su brazo. In Latin America, you will frequently hear jalar for these actions, but tirar is universally understood and is the standard in the Iberian Peninsula. Another common use is 'tirar fotos' (to take photos), though 'sacar fotos' or 'hacer fotos' are more common in Spain.

You will encounter tirar in a variety of environments, from the mundane to the specialized. In a domestic setting, it's the verb of choice for chores. '¿Has tirado la basura?' is a classic household question. In public spaces, specifically on doors of shops, offices, and restaurants, the word TIRAR is printed in bold letters at eye level. It is the silent command that dictates how you enter a building.

In the world of sports, particularly basketball or football, tirar is used for shooting or taking a shot. A commentator might shout, '¡Tira a puerta!' (Shoot at the goal!) or 'Va a tirar un triple' (He's going to shoot a three-pointer). Here, the focus is on the release of the ball toward a specific target with the intent to score.

On the street, you might hear it in slang. 'Tirar los tejos' is a very common way to say someone is flirting. If a friend tells you, 'Ese chico te está tirando los tejos,' they are saying that guy is hitting on you. In a more negative street context, 'tirar' can refer to shooting a weapon, though disparar is the more formal term. In the workplace, you might hear 'tirar de archivo' (to pull from the archives) or 'tirar de contactos' (to use one's connections) to solve a problem.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is the confusion between tirar and lanzar. While both can mean 'to throw,' lanzar is often more formal or implies a specific launch (like a rocket or a professional pitch). Tirar is more everyday. However, the biggest pitfall is the 'Pull/Push' dilemma. English speakers often see tirar and think of 'throw,' but on a door, it means 'pull.' They might also confuse it with empujar (push).

Another mistake involves the preposition de. Learners often say 'Tira la cuerda' when they mean 'Pull the rope.' Without the de, it sounds like you are discarding the rope or throwing it away. To pull, you must say 'Tira de la cuerda.' This small word changes the entire physics of the sentence.

Finally, be careful with tirar vs. echar. While both can mean 'to throw' or 'to put,' echar is often used for adding ingredients (echar sal) or putting something into a container (echar una carta al buzón), whereas tirar implies discarding something as waste or throwing it with force. If you 'tiras' a letter into the mailbox, it sounds like you are throwing it aggressively or trying to get rid of it because it's trash.

To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at the synonyms and near-synonyms of tirar. Each has a slightly different flavor. Arrojar is a more literary or forceful version of 'to throw.' You might read it in a novel: 'Arrojó el anillo al fuego.' It implies a more dramatic or violent action than the everyday tirar.

Botar is the primary word for 'to throw away' in many Latin American countries, especially Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico. If you are in Bogota, you don't tirar la basura, you botar la basura. Interestingly, botar also means 'to bounce' (like a ball), which tirar does not.

Lanzar is used for 'launching' or 'throwing' in a sporting or technical context. A pitcher lanza the ball, and a company lanza a new product. Jalar is the Latin American counterpart to the Spanish tirar when it means 'to pull.' If you are in Mexico, you will see Jalar on doors instead of Tirar. Understanding these regional preferences is key to sounding like a local.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

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Informel

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Argot

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Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

Yo tiro la pelota.

I throw the ball.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

2

Tira el papel en la papelera.

Throw the paper in the trash can.

Imperative (tú).

3

¿Puedes tirar esto?

Can you throw this away?

Infinitive after modal verb.

4

Él tira la basura a las ocho.

He throws the trash at eight.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

5

Nosotros tiramos las fotos viejas.

We throw away the old photos.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

6

No tires comida al suelo.

Don't throw food on the floor.

Negative imperative (tú).

7

Ellos tiran piedras al río.

They throw stones into the river.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

8

Tira la llave por la ventana.

Throw the key through the window.

Imperative (tú).

1

Tira de la puerta para entrar.

Pull the door to enter.

Tirar de = to pull.

2

Ayer tiré mis zapatos rotos.

Yesterday I threw away my broken shoes.

Preterite tense.

3

El jugador tiró a canasta.

The player shot at the basket.

Tirar a = to shoot/aim at.

4

¿Por qué tiraste mi dibujo?

Why did you throw away my drawing?

Preterite tense, 2nd person singular.

5

Tienes que tirar de la palanca.

You have to pull the lever.

Periphrasis: tener que + infinitive.

6

Tiramos de la cuerda con fuerza.

We pulled the rope with force.

Preterite, 1st person plural.

7

No tires de mi brazo, me duele.

Don't pull my arm, it hurts.

Negative imperative.

8

El gato tiró el vaso de la mesa.

The cat knocked (threw) the glass off the table.

Preterite, 3rd person singular.

1

No quiero tirar la toalla todavía.

I don't want to give up yet.

Idiom: tirar la toalla.

2

Se tiró a la piscina de cabeza.

He dove into the pool headfirst.

Pronominal: tirarse (to jump/dive).

3

Mi coche viejo aún tira un poco.

My old car still runs a bit.

Colloquial: tirar (to function/last).

4

Si tiras de ese hilo, se deshará.

If you pull that thread, it will come apart.

Conditional sentence type 1.

5

Me tiré toda la tarde leyendo.

I spent the whole afternoon reading.

Colloquial: tirarse (to spend time).

6

Tiró de ironía para responder.

He used irony to respond.

Metaphorical: tirar de (to make use of).

7

No tires el dinero en tonterías.

Don't waste money on nonsense.

Metaphorical: tirar (to waste).

8

La chimenea no tira bien hoy.

The chimney isn't drawing (ventilating) well today.

Technical use: tirar (to draw air).

1

Tiraron la casa por la ventana en su boda.

They spared no expense for their wedding.

Idiom: tirar la casa por la ventana.

2

Le tiró los tejos en la fiesta.

He flirted with her at the party.

Idiom: tirar los tejos.

3

Tuvo que tirar de contactos para el empleo.

He had to use his connections for the job.

Idiom: tirar de contactos.

4

Ese color tira a morado, ¿no?

That color tends toward purple, doesn't it?

Tirar a (to tend toward/look like).

5

Tiró de orgullo y no pidió ayuda.

He drew on his pride and didn't ask for help.

Abstract: tirar de (to draw upon).

6

La empresa tiró miles de folletos.

The company printed thousands of brochures.

Technical: tirar (to print/run).

7

Se tiró un farol en la reunión.

He was bluffing in the meeting.

Idiom: tirarse un farol (to bluff).

8

Tirando de lógica, no puede ser verdad.

Using logic, it can't be true.

Gerund construction.

1

El gobierno tiró de decreto ley.

The government resorted to a decree-law.

Formal: tirar de (to resort to).

2

La tirada del periódico fue masiva.

The newspaper's print run was massive.

Noun derivative: tirada.

3

Tiró por la calle de en medio y dimitió.

He took the direct path and resigned.

Idiom: tirar por la calle de en medio.

4

Su discurso tiraba por lo demagógico.

His speech leaned toward the demagogic.

Nuanced: tirar por (to lean toward a style).

5

No me tires de la lengua, que lo cuento.

Don't provoke me, or I'll tell everything.

Idiom: tirar de la lengua (to provoke to speak).

6

La trama tira de tópicos muy vistos.

The plot relies on very common clichés.

Critique: tirar de (to rely on).

7

Se tiró un pegote sobre sus estudios.

He told a tall tale about his studies.

Idiom: tirarse un pegote (to boast/lie).

8

El motor tira con solvencia en subidas.

The engine pulls reliably on uphills.

Technical/Mechanical usage.

1

Tiró de la manta y cayeron todos.

He blew the whistle and they all fell.

Idiom: tirar de la manta.

2

Su argumento tira por tierra mi teoría.

His argument demolishes my theory.

Idiom: tirar por tierra (to demolish/ruin).

3

Es un texto que tira a lo barroco.

It's a text that leans toward the baroque.

Stylistic: tirar a (to lean toward).

4

Tiró de riñón para acabar la carrera.

He dug deep (used grit) to finish the race.

Idiom: tirar de riñón (to use extra effort).

5

No podemos tirar de veta indefinidamente.

We can't keep exploiting this resource indefinitely.

Idiom: tirar de veta (to exploit a source).

6

Tiró de galones para imponer su criterio.

He used his rank to impose his criteria.

Idiom: tirar de galones (to use seniority).

7

La situación tira a desesperada.

The situation is bordering on desperate.

Abstract: tirar a (to border on).

8

Tiró los trastos a su compañero.

He made a move on his colleague.

Idiom: tirar los trastos (flirt).

Collocations courantes

tirar la basura
tirar de la puerta
tirar la toalla
tirar a canasta
tirar de la cadena
tirar fotos
tirar el dinero
tirar de contactos
tirar de espaldas
tirar del hilo

Phrases Courantes

¿Has tirado la basura?

Tira de aquí.

No lo tires.

Tira para adelante.

¿Cómo vas? - Tirando.

Tira la pelota.

Tira de la palanca.

Tira el papel.

Tira a puerta.

Tira con fuerza.

Souvent confondu avec

tirar vs Empujar (Push)

tirar vs Lanzar (Formal throw/launch)

tirar vs Echar (Put/Add/Throw lightly)

Expressions idiomatiques

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Facile à confondre

tirar vs Botar

tirar vs Jalar

tirar vs Arrojar

tirar vs Desechar

tirar vs Disparar

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

pull

Standard in Spain, 'jalar' common in LatAm.

flirt

'Tirar los tejos' (Spain), 'Tirar onda' (Argentina).

discard

Standard in Spain, 'botar' common in LatAm.

Erreurs courantes

  • Without 'de', it sounds like you are throwing the door away.

  • Common confusion at entrances.

  • Tirar implies discarding or force; echar is for adding/putting.

  • It's an idiom; don't take it literally in a card game.

  • Use 'lanzar' for technical or high-force launches.

Astuces

Preposition Power

Remember: Tirar + Object = Discard. Tirar + DE + Object = Pull. This is the most important rule for this verb.

Regional Choice

If you are in Spain, use 'tirar'. If you are in Mexico or Colombia, 'botar' and 'jalar' will make you sound more local.

The 'Tirando' Trick

Use 'Ahí vamos, tirando' when you want to sound humble or slightly tired but okay. It's a very native-sounding response.

Door Signs

Always look for 'Tirar' vs 'Empujar'. It's a 50/50 chance, but knowing the word makes it 100%.

Don't throw the house!

Use 'tirar la casa por la ventana' when talking about big celebrations like weddings or big parties.

Avoid Repetition

If you've used 'tirar' twice in a paragraph, try 'arrojar' or 'desechar' to vary your vocabulary.

Sports Commentary

Listen for '¡Tira!' during a football match. It's the crowd or coach telling the player to shoot.

Lottery History

The phrase 'tirar la casa por la ventana' literally refers to people throwing old stuff out to buy new things after a win.

T for Trash

Tirar = Trash. This simple association helps A1 learners remember the primary meaning instantly.

Chain Reaction

'Tirar de la cadena' is still used even though modern toilets have buttons. It's a classic linguistic fossil.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Of uncertain origin, possibly from Gothic *tairan (to tear) or a Germanic root related to 'drawing' or 'pulling'.

Contexte culturel

Standard for 'pull' and 'throw away'.

Often replaced by 'jalar' (pull) and 'botar' (throw away).

Commonly used in 'tirar onda' (to show interest/flirt).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"¿Alguna vez has tirado la toalla en algo importante?"

"¿Cuándo fue la última vez que tiraste la casa por la ventana?"

"¿Es fácil tirar de contactos en tu país para encontrar trabajo?"

"¿Prefieres tirar las cosas viejas o guardarlas por si acaso?"

"¿Te has tirado alguna vez en paracaídas?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe una vez que tiraste la casa por la ventana.

Escribe sobre un proyecto donde casi tiras la toalla.

¿Qué cosas deberías tirar de tu habitación hoy?

Reflexiona sobre la importancia de tirar de contactos en tu carrera.

Describe la sensación de tirarse al mar en verano.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Tirar es más común y cotidiano para tirar basura o una pelota. Lanzar es más formal o técnico, como lanzar un cohete o un disco en atletismo.

No, solo cuando va seguido de la preposición 'de' (tirar de la puerta). Sin la preposición, suele significar tirar algo a la basura o arrojarlo.

Es una forma coloquial de decir que estás bien, pero no increíblemente bien. Significa que vas sobreviviendo o pasando el día.

En México es mucho más común usar el verbo 'jalar' en lugar de 'tirar'.

Sí, es completamente regular en todos sus tiempos y personas, lo cual lo hace muy fácil de conjugar.

Es una expresión que viene del boxeo y significa rendirse o dejar de intentar algo difícil.

Sí, en algunos países se dice 'tirar fotos', aunque 'sacar' o 'hacer' fotos es más común en España.

Significa tirar de la palanca o botón del váter (inodoro) después de usarlo.

En contextos muy específicos y vulgares en algunos países de Latinoamérica, puede tener connotaciones sexuales, pero generalmente es un verbo seguro.

Hay varios: 'tirada' (edición/print run), 'tirón' (un tirón fuerte) o 'tirador' (handle/shooter).

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