Spanish Conversation · Level 1
86 words
Spanish word
matar
Pronunciation
IPA/maˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbkill
Example
No quiero matar a la mosca; mejor la dejo salir.
I don't want to kill the fly; I'd rather let it out.
More examples
En el tren, suelo matar el tiempo leyendo el periódico.
On the train, I usually pass the time by reading the newspaper.
Core concept
Ending a living being's life.
Common phrases
matar el tiempo
pass the time
matar a alguien
kill someone
matar de risa
kill someone with laughter
Similar words
asesinar: Takes a person's life deliberately as a planned criminal act.
ejecutar: Officially executes a person under law or by government authority.
Definition in Spanish
Quitar la vida a un ser vivo; también emplearse en sentido figurado, por ejemplo matar el tiempo.
Word origin
From Latin mactare 'to sacrifice or slay' via Vulgar Latin into Old Spanish as matar, retaining the sense of causing death.
Usage tips
- When the object is a person, Spanish uses the personal a ('matar a alguien'), and speakers often use asesinar to mark a deliberate or criminal killing.