asesinado
“asesinado” means “murdered” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
murdered, assassinated
📝 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.
murder victim, the assassinated man
📝 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.
murdered
Also: assassinated
📝 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.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: asesinado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'asesinado' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'asesinar', which arrived in Spanish via French and Medieval Latin. The ultimate origin is Arabic, referring to the medieval Nizari Ismailis (or Hashshashin), known for political assassinations. The word used to mean 'drinking hashish' but became associated with 'killing secretly'.
First recorded: 13th century (in its root form 'asesinar')
Cognates (Related words)
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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').