masacre
/mah-SAH-kreh/
massacre
In many contexts, 'masacre' refers to a devastating loss or a crushing defeat.
masacre(noun)
massacre
?the killing of many people
slaughter
?violent killing of a large group
,carnage
?the result of a violent event
📝 In Action
Los periódicos informaron sobre la masacre en la frontera.
B1The newspapers reported on the massacre at the border.
Es necesario recordar la historia para no repetir una masacre así.
B2It is necessary to remember history so as not to repeat such a massacre.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Alert
Even though it ends in 'e', 'masacre' is a feminine noun. You must use 'la' or 'una' with it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Serious Tone
This is a very heavy, serious word. Use it carefully and respectfully when discussing real-world events.
The word 'masacre' is often used in sports to describe a game where one team loses by a very large margin.
masacre(noun)
slaughter
?a crushing defeat in sports or games
rout
?an overwhelming victory
,wipeout
?total defeat
📝 In Action
El partido de ayer fue una masacre; perdimos seis a cero.
B2Yesterday's game was a slaughter; we lost six to zero.
El examen fue una masacre, nadie aprobó.
C1The exam was a wipeout, nobody passed.
⭐ Usage Tips
Hyperbole
Native speakers use this word to exaggerate how badly a team lost, similar to saying 'they got killed' in English sports slang.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: masacre
Question 1 of 2
Which article should you use with the word 'masacre'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'masacre' masculine or feminine?
It is feminine (la masacre). Many learners assume words ending in -e are masculine, but this is one of the exceptions you should memorize.
Is 'masacre' the same as 'matanza'?
They are very similar. 'Masacre' often sounds slightly more formal or journalistic, while 'matanza' is a more traditional Spanish word that can also refer to the seasonal slaughtering of pigs.