matarnos
/mah-TAR-nos/
to kill us
Illustrating the action of someone intending 'to kill us' (matarnos) as a direct object.
matarnos(verb)
to kill us
?as a direct object
,to murder us
?as a direct object
to finish us off
?figurative/hyperbolic
📝 In Action
Esa comida chatarra va a matarnos lentamente.
A2That junk food is going to kill us slowly.
¿Por qué intentan matarnos de hambre?
B1Why are they trying to starve us (literally: kill us with hunger)?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Infinitive + Nos' Structure
When 'nos' is attached to the end of the infinitive verb (the base form), it means the action of the verb is aimed at 'us.' This structure is common after verbs like 'querer' (to want) or 'poder' (to be able to).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Placement with Helping Verbs
Mistake: "Quiero matarnos."
Correction: Quiero matarnos O Nos quiero matar. The 'nos' can either attach to the infinitive or go before the conjugated verb, but it must be consistent.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
While the core meaning is serious, 'matarnos' can be used hyperbolically in informal speech, like saying 'This heat is killing us!'
Illustrating the reflexive action: 'to kill ourselves' (matarnos).
matarnos(verb)
to kill ourselves
?Reflexive action: we kill us
to kill each other
?Reciprocal action: we kill them, they kill us
📝 In Action
Tenemos que dejar de matarnos por estas tonterías.
B1We have to stop killing each other over these stupid things.
El plan era matarnos antes de ser capturados.
C1The plan was to kill ourselves before being captured.
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive vs. Direct Object
When 'nos' is used reflexively (matarnos), the subject (we) is also the one receiving the action (us). If the subject and object are the same, use the reflexive form.
⭐ Usage Tips
Reciprocal Meaning
In a conflict context, 'matarnos' often implies 'killing each other' (the reciprocal action), not just self-harm.
Illustrating the figurative meaning: 'to work ourselves to death' (matarnos).
matarnos(verb)
to work ourselves to death
?Figurative: to work extremely hard
,to exhaust ourselves
?Figurative: to tire completely
to try our absolute hardest
?Figurative: maximum effort
📝 In Action
No vamos a matarnos estudiando toda la noche; tomemos un descanso.
B2We aren't going to kill ourselves studying all night; let's take a break.
Para terminar el proyecto, tuvimos que matarnos trabajando.
C1To finish the project, we had to work ourselves to death (work extremely hard).
💡 Grammar Points
Idiomatic Reflexive Use
In Spanish, adding the reflexive pronoun often intensifies the verb. Here, 'matarse' doesn't mean literal killing, but maximum effort or exhaustion, similar to saying 'I'm dead tired' in English.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you hear 'matarnos' in a non-violent context (like talking about school or work), it almost certainly means 'to work/try very hard' or 'to get very tired.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: matarnos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'matarnos' in the figurative sense (to work hard)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'matarnos' sometimes mean 'to work hard'?
This is a common form of hyperbole (exaggeration) in Spanish. When you use the reflexive form 'matarse,' it intensifies the effort, suggesting you are working so hard it feels like you are 'killing yourself' with effort.
Can I separate the 'nos' from 'matar'?
Yes! When 'matarnos' follows a conjugated verb (a helping verb), you have a choice. You can say 'Debemos matarnos' (We must kill ourselves) or 'Nos debemos matar.' Both are perfectly correct.