matarla
“matarla” means “to kill her” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to kill her, to kill it
Also: to ruin it
📝 In Action
No pude matarla con la primera flecha.
B1I couldn't kill her with the first arrow.
Hay que matarla de una vez por todas.
B2We have to kill it (e.g., a bad habit, 'la costumbre') once and for all.
Querían matarla, pero no pudieron.
A2They wanted to kill her, but they couldn't.
to exhaust her, to wear her out
Also: to bore her to death
📝 In Action
No es bueno matarla con tantas tareas.
B2It's not good to exhaust her with so many tasks.
El viaje va a matarla si no descansa.
B2The trip is going to wear her out if she doesn't rest.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: matarla
Question 1 of 2
In the phrase 'No quiero matarla con este ejercicio', what does 'matarla' most likely mean?
📚 More Resources
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The verb 'matar' comes from the Latin *mactāre*, which originally meant 'to honor by sacrifice' or 'to slaughter (for a ritual)'. Over time, its meaning shifted simply to 'to kill'. The 'la' is the Spanish direct object pronoun for 'her' or 'it (feminine)'.
First recorded: The verb 'matar' appeared in Spanish around the 13th century.
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the pronoun 'la' attached to the end of the verb?
In Spanish, whenever you use a verb in its base form (the infinitive, like 'matar'), the command form (imperative), or the '-ing' form (gerund), the small object pronouns like 'la' or 'me' must stick right onto the end of that verb form.
Can I separate 'matar' and 'la'?
Yes, but only if you move the pronoun to the front of the conjugated verb that precedes the infinitive. For example, instead of 'Quiero matarla,' you can say 'La quiero matar.' You cannot say 'Quiero la matar.' The pronoun must always be next to a verb.