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"Lanzar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to throw", and "tirar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to throw". Learn more about the difference between "lanzar" and "tirar" below.
lanzar(
lahn
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to propel)
c. to fling
Solíamos lanzar globos de agua a los carros cuando éramos niños.We used to fling water balloons at cars when we were kids.
d. to pitch (baseball)
Nolan Ryan lanzaba con una velocidad tremenda.Nolan Ryan pitched amazingly fast.
b. to release
Thalía lanzó su última canción en el otoño.Thalia released her latest song in the fall.
4. (to express)
a. to hurl
Carlota lanzó unas acusaciones a su tía por no haberle dado lo que pidió.Carlota hurled accusations at her aunt for not getting her what she asked for.
b. to let out
El estudiante lanzó un suspiro al terminar el examen.The student let out a sigh when he finished the exam.
c. to launch
El viejito me lanzó una letanía de insultos cuando pisé el césped de su casa.The old man launched a litany of insults at me when I stepped on his lawn.
a. to shoot
Juan le lanzó una mirada feroz a su amiga porque lo delató con la maestra.Juan shot his friend an angry look because she told on him to the teacher.
b. to give
El barman me lanzó una mirada atrevida cuando le pedí un "sexo en la playa".The bartender gave me a saucy look when I asked for a "sex on the beach."
6. (to begin)
a. to launch
La invasión de Normandía se lanzó el 6 de junio de 1944.The invasion of Normandy was launched on June 6th, 1944.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
7. (to vomit)
a. to throw up
El jamón me cayó mal; creo que voy a lanzar.The ham didn't agree with me; I think I'm going to throw up.
lanzarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to fall upon
Los fanáticos se lanzaron sobre Messi cuando salió del estadio.The fans fell upon Messi when he exited the stadium.
b. to leap on
Los niños se lanzaron sobre el castillo inflable en la feria.The kids leapt on the moon bounce at the fair.
a. to undertake
La empresa se va a lanzar a un nuevo reto este año.The company is going to undertake a new challenge this year.
b. to embark upon
La exploradora se lanzó a una nueva aventura.The explorer embarked upon a new adventure.
tirar(
tee
-
rahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to propel)
a. to throw
Si tiras una moneda al pozo, puedes pedir un deseo.If you throw a coin in the well, you can make a wish.
a. to waste
Comprar productos de mala calidad es tirar el dinero.Buying bad quality products is wasting your money.
b. to squander
Los humanos están tirando todos los recursos del planeta.Humans are squandering the planet's resources.
a. to knock down
Van a tirar la antigua central eléctrica.The old power plant is going to be knocked down.
b. to knock over
Dejen de empujar, van a tirar la mesa.Stop pushing; you are going to knock the table over.
7. (printing)
a. to print
Han tirado diez mil ejemplares de la novela.They have printed ten thousand copies of the novel.
b. to run off
La editorial tiró mil ejemplares de mi libro.The publisher ran off a thousand copies of my book.
8. (to trace)
a. to draw
El arquitecto tiró una línea recta con una regla.The architect drew a straight line with a ruler.
9. (to attack)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No le tire patadas a su hermano.Don't kick your brother.
Su perro me tiró un mordisco.His dog snapped at me.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
10. (to draw nearer)
11. (to attract)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No le tira estudiar medicina.He is not interested in studying medicine.
Las fiestas ya no me tiran.Parties don't appeal to me anymore.
12. (to be taut)
a. to be tight
Esta falda me tira en la cadera, me compraré una talla más grande.This skirt is tight at the hip; I'm going to buy a bigger size.
14. (sports)
a. to shoot
Tras recibir un pase, el jugador tiró desde la línea de tres puntos sin éxito.After catching a pass, the player shot from the three-point line unsuccessfully.
15. (to work)
16. (to survive)
a. to get by
Tenemos que tirar con muy poco hasta que cobre.We have to get by with very little until payday.
a. to go
Para llegar a la panadería, tire por esta calle hasta el cruce.To get to the bakery, go down this street up to the intersection.
18. (to tend)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El plato tiraba a dulce más que nada.The dish was more sweet than anything else.
Tienes que beberte el té cuando esté tirando a frío.You have to drink the tea when it is cooling down.
19. (vulgar) (to have sexual intercourse) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
tirarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to throw oneself
Pensó en suicidarse tirándose de un puente.He thought of committing suicide by throwing himself off a bridge.
21. (to pass time)
22. (vulgar) (to have sexual intercourse)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
23. (colloquial) (to release gas)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El bebé se tiró un eructo tras tomarse su biberón.The baby burped after having his bottle.
La primera vez que se tiró un pedo delante de su novio se avergonzó.The first time she farted in front of her boyfriend, she was embarrassed.
