mata
“mata” means “bush” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
bush, shrub
Also: plant, clump
📝 In Action
Necesitamos podar esa mata de rosas para que crezca mejor.
A2We need to prune that rose bush so it grows better.
Encontré una pequeña mata de frambuesas silvestres.
B1I found a small wild raspberry bush.
Las matas de trigo se veían secas bajo el sol.
B2The clumps of wheat looked dry under the sun.
kills, you kill
Also: kill!, murders
📝 In Action
La policía busca a quien mata a los animales del vecindario.
A1The police are looking for the person who kills the neighborhood animals.
Ella siempre mata el tiempo con videojuegos mientras espera.
B1She always kills time with video games while she waits.
¡Mata el mosquito antes de que te pique!
A2Kill the mosquito before it bites you!
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: mata
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'mata' in its noun form?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'mata' has two distinct origins. The Noun meaning (bush/shrub) comes from a Medieval Latin word related to 'mat' or 'cushion,' referring to a low, dense growth of plants. The Verb form (kills) comes from the Latin verb *mactare*, which meant 'to honor by sacrifice' or 'to slay,' and eventually evolved into the modern Spanish verb 'matar' (to kill).
First recorded: Both senses have records dating back to the late Middle Ages (12th-13th century) in similar forms.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'mata' means 'bush' or 'kills'?
The easiest way is to look at the words around it. If you see 'la' or 'una' before it (La mata), it's the noun ('the bush'). If you see a subject like 'él,' 'ella,' or 'usted' before it (Él mata), or if it is at the start of a command, it is the verb ('he kills').