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"Usar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to use", and "tirar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to throw". Learn more about the difference between "usar" and "tirar" below.
usar(
oo
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to utilize)
a. to use
Puedes usar mi teléfono viejo si no logras encontrar el tuyo.You can use my old phone if you don't manage to find yours.
2. (to have on)
a. to wear
Voy a usar mi chaqueta nueva cuando haga frío.I'm going to wear my new jacket when it gets cold.
usarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to be worn
En verano se vuelven a usar los vestidos y las faldas.In summer, dresses and skirts are worn again.
b. to be in fashion
Se usaban los overoles en los ochenta y los noventa.Overalls were in fashion in the eighties and nineties.
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.
