'matar' vs. 'morir'

When the one being killed is a person or a beloved pet, you must put the word 'a' right before them. For example, 'El villano mató al rey' (The villain killed the king).

Using 'a' for People and Pets

Just like in English, 'matar' is a very strong and direct word. Be mindful of the context when you use it.

A Strong Word

Extremely common. This is the primary and most important meaning.

The phrase 'matar el tiempo' is used exactly like 'to kill time' in English. It's a very natural and common way to talk about doing something unimportant while you wait.

Killing Time

Use this meaning when one sensation (like a strong taste, loud noise, or bright color) is so intense that it 'kills' or cancels out the other, more subtle ones.

Sensory Overload

A figurative meaning used in cooking and sensory contexts.

Learn the full meaning of the Spanish verb 'matar'. From its literal sense 'to kill' to figurative uses like 'to kill time', 'to be boring', or 'to overpower a flavor'. Includes full conjugations, examples, and common mistakes like 'matar' vs 'morir'.

Matar Meaning, Conjugation & Idioms | Inklingo

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Complete conjugation tables and interactive practice exercises for the Spanish verb '{infinitive}' ({translation}). Master all tenses and moods with our conjugation trainer.

The Spanish verb '{infinitive}' meaning '{translation}'.

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Verb conjugation is the backbone of Spanish communication. Every sentence you speak or write requires at least one conjugated verb, and getting it right determines whether you sound fluent or confused.

The good news: Spanish has clear patterns. Regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs follow predictable rules, and the 20 most common irregular verbs cover the vast majority of everyday conversation. Master those, and you''re already ahead of most learners.

Past, present, future, hypothetical — conjugations let you place actions exactly when they happened or might happen.

Wrong conjugations can change who did what. ''Hablé'' (I spoke) vs ''habló'' (he spoke) — one accent mark, completely different meaning.

DELE, AP Spanish, and university placement tests all heavily test conjugation accuracy. It''s the most testable skill in Spanish.

When conjugation becomes automatic, you stop translating in your head and start thinking directly in Spanish. That''s true fluency.

Spanish has 14 major verb tenses across 3 moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative), but just 3 tenses — present, preterite, and imperfect — account for over 80% of verbs used in everyday speech. Focus there first.

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The conditional of matar is regular: mataría, matarías, mataría, mataríamos, mataríais, matarían.

The future of matar is regular: matar + é, ás, á, emos, éis, án.

The affirmative imperative of matar is: mata (tú), mate (usted), matemos (nosotros), matad (vosotros), maten (ustedes).

The imperfect of matar follows the regular -aba pattern: mataba, matabas, mataba, matábamos, matabais, mataban.

The imperfect subjunctive of matar is matara, mataras, matara, matáramos, matarais, mataran.

The negative imperative of matar uses the present subjunctive: no mates, no mate, no matemos, no matéis, no maten.

The present tense of matar is regular: mato, matas, mata, matamos, matáis, matan.

The present subjunctive of matar uses -e endings: mate, mates, mate, matemos, matéis, maten.

The preterite of matar is regular: maté, mataste, mató, matamos, matasteis, mataron.

matar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

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