In Spanish, “take a shot” translates to “tomar un trago” (alcohol), “disparar” (weapon), or “hacer un intento” (attempt), with the right choice depending entirely on what you mean.
You probably know that English leans heavily on context. “Take a shot” can mean downing a tequila, firing a gun, or giving something a try. That ambiguity travels with you when you move into Spanish, but the language doesn’t offer a single catch-all phrase.
This article walks through the three main ways to say “take a shot” in Spanish — covering alcohol, weapons, and attempts — plus the regional slang that can help you sound more natural. By the end, you’ll know exactly which phrase to reach for in each situation.
The Three Main Meanings Of “Take A Shot” In Spanish
The phrase “take a shot” in Spanish splits into three separate translations. Each one is a distinct verb phrase, and mixing them up can create confusion — or the wrong impression entirely.
For alcohol, the most common translation is “tomar un trago”. This is neutral and understood across countries. In Mexico, you might hear “hacer un caballito”, referring to the small glass itself. In Spain, “chupito” is the noun for a shot, and “tomarse un chupito” is the verb phrase.
For weapon use, “disparar” is the verb for firing a gun. If you specify a target, you add “a” or “contra”: “disparar a alguien” means “take a shot at someone”.
For attempts, “hacer un intento” (to make an attempt) is the direct translation. You can also use “intentar” or “probar” — to try or to attempt something.
Why The Same Phrase Means Different Things
English speakers rarely pause over “take a shot”. The context — a bar, a hunting trip, a sports play — disambiguates instantly. But Spanish expects you to choose the correct verb from the start. That throws off learners who expect a one-to-one mapping.
- Tomar un trago (alcohol): Neutral, understood everywhere. “Vamos a tomar un trago” means “Let’s take a shot (drink).”
- Disparar (weapon): The standard verb for shooting. “Él disparó” — “He took a shot.”
- Hacer un intento (attempt): Literally “to make an attempt.” “Haré un intento” — “I’ll take a shot at it.”
- Rematar (finish a drink): Used in some regions to mean downing the last of a drink, often in one gulp.
- Beber a todo guacal: A very colloquial expression from parts of Latin America meaning to chug a drink quickly.
Once you see the split, it becomes intuitive. Each meaning has its own set of verbs and nouns, and the key is picking the right bucket before you open your mouth.
How To Say “Take A Shot” For An Attempt
This is probably the trickiest bucket for English speakers because the phrase “take a shot” as “try” doesn’t have an exact idiomatic match in Spanish. The closest equivalent is “hacer un intento” (make an attempt) or simply “intentar” (to try).
For example, “I’ll take a shot at solving the puzzle” becomes “Haré un intento de resolver el rompecabezas.” The verb “intentar” is even more direct: “Voy a intentarlo” — “I’ll try it.”
SpanishDict’s entry for the phrase covers this usage well. The translation Hacer Un Intento is listed as the go-to for making an effort. It’s safe to use in any Spanish-speaking country, and it won’t be mistaken for alcohol or violence.
Another option is “probar” (to try/test). “Quiero probar suerte” — “I want to take a shot at luck.” But “probar” often implies testing something out rather than making a serious attempt, so “hacer un intento” is usually clearer.
| English Meaning | Spanish Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Attempt / try | Hacer un intento | Haré un intento de ganar |
| Attempt / try (verb) | Intentar | Voy a intentarlo |
| Try out / test | Probar | Quiero probar este juego |
| Take a shot at success | Probar suerte | Voy a probar suerte |
| Make an effort | Hacer un esfuerzo | Haré un esfuerzo por terminar |
These phrases keep you safely in the “attempt” lane. If you use “tomar un trago” when you meant “try,” your listener will start looking for the bar.
How To Say “Take A Shot” For Alcohol
This is the most common context for learners, and fortunately, the one with the most regional variety. A single shot of liquor is called a “trago” in most of Latin America, and “tomar un trago” is the standard verb phrase. In Spain, a shot is a “chupito”, so you’d say “tomarse un chupito”.
- Tomar un trago: Universal, neutral. “Él tomó un trago de tequila” — “He took a shot of tequila.”
- Hacer un caballito (Mexico): Refers to the small glass (“caballito”). “Vamos a hacer un caballito” — “Let’s take a shot.”
- Rematar (colloquial): To finish off a drink, often the last one. “Rematamos la botella” — “We took the last shot from the bottle.”
- Beber a todo guacal (Central America): A very informal way to say chug a drink quickly.
- Pegarse un tiro (slang): Literally “to shoot oneself,” but used humorously in some circles for taking a shot of alcohol — use with caution.
When in doubt, “tomar un trago” works everywhere. If you want to sound local, pick up the regional term for the glass — “caballito” in Mexico, “chupito” in Spain, “taco” in some parts of Ecuador.
How To Say “Take A Shot” For A Weapon
The weapon context is the most straightforward. The verb “disparar” means to shoot or fire. You can use it alone or with a target: “disparar a” (shoot at) or “disparar contra” (shoot against).
For example: “El soldado disparó” — “The soldier took a shot.” If you want to specify the target: “Disparó al blanco” — “He took a shot at the target.” The noun “disparo” is used for the actual shot or gunshot: “Se escuchó un disparo” — “A shot was heard.”
Tureng’s Spanish-English dictionary lists “disparar” as the primary translation for the weapon context. You can check their Tomar Un Trago entry to compare the alcohol meaning — Tureng also covers “tomar un trago” and “rematar” for the drinking side.
Note that “hacer un disparo” (to make a shot) is also correct but less common in everyday speech. “Disparar” is the more natural verb for active shooting. If you’re describing a hunter or a police officer, just use “disparó.”
| Context | Verb / Phrase |
|---|---|
| Firing a weapon (generic) | Disparar |
| Take a shot at a target | Disparar a |
| Take a shot at a person | Disparar a alguien |
| Shot (noun – gunshot) | Disparo |
The Bottom Line
“Take a shot” doesn’t have one Spanish equivalent — it has three. Use “hacer un intento” for an attempt, “disparar” for a weapon, and “tomar un trago” (or “chupito” in Spain) for alcohol. Regional slang like “caballito” in Mexico adds flavor but isn’t necessary for clarity.
A certified Spanish teacher via platforms like SpanishDict or Tureng can walk you through these distinctions with example conversations, especially if you’re targeting a specific dialect like Mexican or European Spanish. Practice each context in separate sessions — your brain will learn to switch gears faster than you think.