matarlos
“matarlos” means “to kill them” in Spanish (referring to masculine or mixed-gender people/things).
to kill themAlso: to finish them off, to destroy them
📝 In Action
Tenemos que matarlos antes de que escapen.
A2We have to kill them before they escape.
No pude matarlos, eran demasiado rápidos.
B1I couldn't kill them, they were too fast.
La misión es encontrarlos y matarlos.
A2The mission is to find them and kill them.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: matarlos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the pronoun 'los' attached to the verb correctly?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology
The verb 'matar' comes from the Latin 'mactare', which originally meant 'to honor by sacrifice' but evolved into the meaning 'to kill'. The pronoun 'los' comes from the Latin accusative plural form 'illos', meaning 'those/them'.
First recorded: Both roots are ancient, dating back to Vulgar Latin.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'matarlos' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is added to keep the stress on the original syllable of the verb ('matar'). Without it, the stress would incorrectly shift to the 'o' of the attached pronoun, making the word sound wrong.
Can I use 'matarlos' if I am referring to a group of female friends?
No. 'Los' is only for masculine or mixed-gender groups. If you are referring only to female friends, you must use the pronoun 'las', making the word 'matarlas' (to kill them [females]).