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"Tirar la basura" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to take out the trash", and "botar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to throw away". Learn more about the difference between "tirar la basura" and "botar" below.
tirar la basura(
tee
-
rahr
lah
bah
-
soo
-
rah
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to take out the trash (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Tiro la basura todas las noches a las 9 pm.I take out the trash every night at 9 pm.
b. to take out the garbage (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Te olvidaste de tirar la basura y ahora la cocina huele mal.You forgot to take out the garbage and now the kitchen smells bad.
c. to put out the rubbish (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mis hijos están a cargo de tirar la basura.My children are in charge of putting out the rubbish.
botar(
boh
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to throw away
Quiero botar estos diarios viejos pero no encuentro un contenedor de basura.I want to throw away these old newspapers but I can't find a trash can.
a. to bounce
Los jugadores de tenis siempre botan la pelota antes de sacar.Tennis players always bounce the ball before serving.
3. (marine)
a. to launch
El Titanic fue botado al mar el 31 de mayo de 1911.The Titanic was launched on May 31, 1911.
4. (to dismiss) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to fire
Te van a botar del trabajo si sigues llegando tarde a la oficina.You'll get fired if you keep on arriving late to the office.
5. (to expel) (Andes) (Dominican Republic) (Nicaragua)
Regionalism used in the Dominican Republic
Regionalism used in Nicaragua
6. (to squander) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to waste
No voy a botar mi dinero en una habitación de hotel. Voy a dormir en una tienda de campaña.I'm not going to waste my money on a hotel room. I'm going to sleep in a tent.
7. (to demolish) (Andes) (Costa Rica) (Cuba) (El Salvador)
Regionalism used in Costa Rica
Regionalism used in Cuba
Regionalism used in El Salvador
a. to knock down
El gobierno decidió botar el viejo edificio de la biblioteca.The government decided to knock down the old library building.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
