Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Gun in Spanish: Pistola / Arma
Pistola · noun (feminine) · pees-TOH-lah
The most common Spanish word for gun is 'pistola,' a feminine noun referring specifically to a handgun. The broader term 'arma' (weapon) is also frequently used in context to mean firearm. For rifles or larger firearms, 'fusil' or 'escopeta' may apply. Understanding these distinctions is important for accurate communication in formal, legal, or news contexts.
Pronounce 'pistola' as pees-TOH-lah, stressing the second syllable. 'Arma' is pronounced AHR-mah with stress on the first syllable.
El oficial guardó su pistola en la funda reglamentaria.
The officer stored his gun in the regulation holster.
Gun in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for gun, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pistola | gun | pees-TOH-lah | Default, widely understood |
| arma | gun | general term for any weapon, commonly understood as firearm | |
| revólver | gun | specifically a revolver-type handgun |
How Native Speakers Use Pistola
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
News context
Las autoridades confiscaron varias armas durante la operación.
Authorities confiscated several guns during the operation.
Reporting on law enforcement activity.
Historical reference
El museo exhibe pistolas de la época colonial.
The museum displays guns from the colonial era.
Describing artifacts in a history museum.
Safety discussion
Es fundamental almacenar las armas de fuego de forma segura.
It is essential to store firearms safely.
Discussing responsible storage practices.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pistola
Using the wrong article with arma
Incorrect: La arma está descargada.
Correct: El arma está descargada.
Although 'arma' is feminine, it takes the masculine article 'el' in the singular because it begins with a stressed 'a' — a standard Spanish phonetic rule.
Confusing pistola with fusil
Incorrect: El cazador llevaba una pistola de caza.
Correct: El cazador llevaba una escopeta de caza.
'Pistola' refers to a handgun, while a hunting firearm is typically an 'escopeta' (shotgun) or 'fusil' (rifle).
Lock in Gun Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Pistola used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pistola in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El oficial guardó su pistola en la funda reglamentaria. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Gun in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'pistola' and 'arma'?
- The word 'pistola' specifically denotes a handgun, while 'arma' is a broader term meaning weapon that can refer to any type of firearm or even non-firearm weapons depending on context.
- Why does 'arma' use the article 'el' if it is feminine?
- Feminine nouns beginning with a stressed 'a' or 'ha' take the article 'el' in the singular to avoid an awkward double-a sound, but they remain grammatically feminine for adjective agreement.
- How do you say 'water gun' in Spanish?
- A toy water gun is called 'pistola de agua' in Spanish, keeping the same structure of 'pistola' followed by the prepositional phrase specifying the type.