matadero
“matadero” means “slaughterhouse” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
slaughterhouse
Also: abattoir
📝 In Action
El camión lleva a las vacas al matadero.
A2The truck is taking the cows to the slaughterhouse.
El matadero municipal cumple con todas las normas de higiene.
B1The municipal slaughterhouse complies with all hygiene regulations.
Mi abuelo trabajaba como veterinario en un matadero.
B1My grandfather worked as a veterinarian in a slaughterhouse.
death trap
Also: shambles
📝 In Action
Esa carretera en invierno es un verdadero matadero.
B2That highway in winter is a real death trap.
La batalla se convirtió en un matadero sin sentido.
C1The battle turned into a senseless slaughter.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: matadero
Question 1 of 3
What does the suffix '-dero' usually indicate in words like 'matadero'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish verb 'matar' (to kill), which comes from the Latin 'mactare' (to glorify/sacrifice), combined with the suffix '-dero' indicating a place or instrument.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'matadero' the same as 'carnicería'?
No. A 'matadero' is where the animals are killed and processed, while a 'carnicería' is the butcher shop where the meat is sold to customers.
Can I use 'matadero' for a place where people died in a war?
Yes, figuratively. It is often used to describe a battlefield where there was a heavy loss of life, emphasizing the brutality of the event.
Is it a masculine or feminine word?
It is masculine: 'el matadero' or 'un matadero'.