asesinado
/a-se-si-NA-do/
murdered
Describing someone as asesinado (murdered) is an adjective used to identify the victim.
asesinado(adjective)
murdered
?used to describe the victim
,assassinated
?often used for political figures
📝 In Action
El político asesinado había recibido amenazas de muerte.
B1The assassinated politician had received death threats.
Encontramos el cuerpo asesinado en el sótano.
B2We found the murdered body in the basement.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number Match
As an adjective, 'asesinado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'asesinada' (f.), 'asesinados' (m. pl.), 'asesinadas' (f. pl.).
⭐ Usage Tips
Stronger than 'killed'
Using 'asesinado' implies an intentional, premeditated, malicious killing (murder/assassination), which is much stronger than just 'matado' (killed/slain).
The noun asesinado refers to the male murder victim.
asesinado(noun)
murder victim
?the male person who was murdered
,the assassinated man
?referring to the person killed
📝 In Action
El asesinado fue identificado por las huellas dactilares.
B2The murder victim was identified by fingerprints.
La investigación se centra en los negocios del asesinado.
C1The investigation centers on the business dealings of the murdered man.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective functioning as Noun
When you put a definite article ('el', 'la', 'los', 'las') before 'asesinado', it stops describing a noun and becomes the noun itself, meaning 'the murdered person'.
When used as a verb, asesinado means the action of having murdered someone.
asesinado(verb)
murdered
?as the main verb action (e.g., 'has murdered')
assassinated
?as the main verb action
📝 In Action
La banda criminal ha asesinado a varios periodistas.
B1The criminal gang has murdered several journalists. (Uses 'haber')
El presidente fue asesinado hace diez años. (Passive Voice)
A2The president was assassinated ten years ago.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Participle
The past participle ('asesinado') is combined with the helper verb 'haber' to talk about actions that have been completed (e.g., 'Hemos asesinado' - We have murdered).
Passive Voice
When used with the verb 'ser' (to be), it forms the passive voice, emphasizing the victim and not the killer: 'Fue asesinado' (He was murdered). In this context, it acts like an adjective and must agree in gender/number.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: asesinado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'asesinado' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'asesinado' and 'matado'?
'Asesinado' (murdered/assassinated) specifically implies the killing was intentional, premeditated, and criminal. 'Matado' (killed) is more general and can refer to accidental death, killing during war, or just ending life.
How do I use 'asesinado' when talking about a female victim?
If you are using it as an adjective or noun referring to a female victim, you must change the ending to 'asesinada' (e.g., 'la asesinada', 'la víctima asesinada').