asesino
/a-se-SI-no/
murderer
The noun asesino is used to mean murderer or killer.
📝 In Action
La policía atrapó al asesino después de una larga investigación.
B1The police caught the murderer after a long investigation.
La novela cuenta la historia de un asesino a sueldo.
B2The novel tells the story of a contract killer (hitman).
Se cree que es un asesino en serie.
B2It is believed that he is a serial killer.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender: Asesino vs. Asesina
This word changes to match the gender of the person. Use 'asesino' for a man and 'asesina' for a woman. If you're talking about a group that includes men and women, you use the masculine plural 'asesinos'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not Just Any Criminal
Mistake: "Usar 'asesino' para hablar de un ladrón (thief)."
Correction: Usa 'asesino' solo para alguien que mata. Para alguien que roba, di 'ladrón'. 'Asesino' is specific to the act of killing.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Very Strong Word
Like in English, 'asesino' is a very serious and direct word. It's used in legal contexts, news reports, and fiction, but it's not a casual term to throw around.
As an adjective, asesino describes something deadly or intensely hostile, such as a 'murderous look' (mirada asesina) or a 'killer instinct' (instinto asesino).
asesino(Adjective)
murderous
?e.g., a murderous look
killer
?e.g., a killer instinct
,deadly
?e.g., a deadly weapon
📝 In Action
El boxeador tiene un instinto asesino en el ring.
B2The boxer has a killer instinct in the ring.
Me lanzó una mirada asesina cuando derramé el café.
C1She shot me a murderous look when I spilled the coffee.
El gas tiene un efecto asesino si se inhala.
C1The gas has a deadly effect if inhaled.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
When used to describe something, 'asesino' must match the gender and number of that thing. For example: 'un instinto asesino' (a killer instinct) but 'una mirada asesina' (a murderous look), because 'mirada' is feminine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Not Always Literal
You'll often hear this word used in a figurative way. 'Una mirada asesina' (a murderous look) just means a very angry look. The person isn't actually planning to kill you!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: asesino
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'asesino' as an adjective (a describing word)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'asesino' and 'homicida'?
Great question! They are very similar. 'Asesino' is the more common, everyday word for 'murderer'. 'Homicida' is a more legal or technical term, meaning 'one who commits homicide'. While an 'asesino' is always an 'homicida', 'homicida' can sometimes include cases that aren't premeditated murder, like manslaughter. For everyday conversation, 'asesino' is usually the word you'll hear.
Is there a verb form?
Yes! The verb is 'asesinar', which means 'to murder' or 'to assassinate'. For example, 'El villano planea asesinar al rey' (The villain plans to murder the king).