asesinada
/ah-seh-see-NAH-dah/
murdered
This image depicts a female person who has been 'murdered' (asesinada), focusing on the finality of the state.
asesinada(Adjective)
murdered
?describing a female person or object
,assassinated
?often used for high-profile or political killings
slain
?literary or formal
📝 In Action
La mujer fue encontrada asesinada en su casa.
B1The woman was found murdered in her house.
La periodista asesinada había investigado corrupción.
B2The murdered journalist had investigated corruption.
Tienen una estatua en honor a la líder asesinada.
B2They have a statue honoring the assassinated leader.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'asesinada' as an Adjective
This word is the feminine form of the past participle of 'asesinar.' It works like an adjective, so it must match the person or thing it describes: 'la víctima asesinada' (the murdered victim).
Forming the Passive Voice
You often see 'asesinada' used with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that the action happened to the subject: 'Ella fue asesinada' (She was murdered).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Gender Match
Mistake: "El hombre fue asesinada."
Correction: El hombre fue asesinado. (The adjective must be masculine when describing a man.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Action
Remember that 'asesinada' emphasizes the action (murder) that was done to the person, unlike just saying 'muerta' (dead), which is a state of being.
The noun 'asesinada' refers to the 'murder victim' (female) herself, depicted here symbolically as a spirit.
asesinada(Noun)
murder victim (female)
?referring to the person herself
,the assassinated woman
?when used with an article (La asesinada)
the slain woman
?formal or literary
📝 In Action
La policía identificó a la asesinada como una abogada local.
B2The police identified the murder victim (f.) as a local lawyer.
La familia de la asesinada pide justicia.
B2The family of the murdered woman demands justice.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Becomes Noun
In Spanish, the past participle (like 'asesinada') can often be used as a noun by adding an article ('la'). This means 'the murdered one' or 'the victim.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
Use this noun form ('la asesinada') mainly when the identity is unknown or secondary to the act itself, such as in news headlines.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: asesinada
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'asesinada' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'asesinada' and 'matada'?
'Asesinada' (murdered/assassinated) implies a deliberate, premeditated, and often violent act against a person. 'Matada' (killed, past participle of 'matar') is a broader term that can mean killed by accident, in war, or even humanely. 'Asesinada' is much stronger and more specific.
Since 'asesinada' is a past participle, how do I use it in compound tenses?
When forming compound tenses (like the Present Perfect), the participle always uses the masculine singular form ('asesinado') and is paired with 'haber': 'Ella ha sido asesinada' (She has been murdered). When used with 'ser' (as in the passive voice) or as an adjective, it changes gender to match the subject.