echar vs tirar

Question

Hi all Anyone have some basics on when you might prefer echar vs tirar? Specific instances or idioms that require one over the other? Thanks

Great question! - --Mariana--, Feb 14, 2013

Answer 1

Its the same thign. O sea you can interchange them in some cases.

Gracias. - rogspax, Feb 14, 2013

Answer 2

I will have to dissent with Mysterio. They are different words, not exactly interchangeable. You might interchange them but the meaning would be slightly different.

Taking Mike's explanation as basis: Yes, tirar may need more strength and speed than echar, which can be done very slowly.

Examples:

Interchangeable uses: Tirar a la basura / Echar a la basura.

Using tirar when it cannot be changed by echar.

• Tirar una piedra, un proyectil o un cohete (significa "lanzar")
• Tirar hacia ti (significa "halar").
• Tirar a la perdición (significa "seguir una tendencia").

Using echar when it cannot be replaced by tirar:

• Echarle ganas (poner empeño en algo, básicamente significa "poner").
• Echar canas (aquí significa "surgir" o "nacer").
• Echar a alguien de un lugar (aquí significa "expulsar").
• Echar fuera de sí (aquí significa "sacar" o "expulsar de tu organismo").

Thank. So tirar is a hurl or powerful throw, whereas echar could be a light throw or pitch? Along those lines? - rogspax, Feb 14, 2013

Ooops, and of course, thanks much! - rogspax, Feb 14, 2013

thats true, echar is more powerful than tirar - Rey_Mysterio, Feb 14, 2013

Answer 3

Both mean to "toss" or to "throw" something. E.g., You can both "throw" or "toss" an item into the trash bin or washing machine.

The word "Tirar" does seem to have a bit more force, but it depends on your intention. E.g., Me tiró un beso. (She threw me a kiss) vs. El aparato tira el proyectil muy lejos. (The machine throws the projectile very far).

A few examples of how they are used in very similar ways:

• Échame las llaves. Toss / throw me the keys.

• Échalo a la basura. Throw it away.

• Me echaron de la casa. They threw me out of the house.

• Me echó maldiciones. He cursed at me.

• Tírame la pelota. Toss / throw me the ball.

• No tires las sobras, Don't throw away the leftovers.

Answer 4

I am not a native Spanish speaker, but listening to people, it seems that tirar is used to signify a more forceful action than echar.