matarte
mah-TAHR-teh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Si trabajas tanto, vas a matarte antes de los 40.
B1If you work that much, you are going to kill yourself (wear yourself out) before you're 40.
No quiero matarte; solo quiero advertirte.
B2I don't want to kill you; I just want to warn you.
El esfuerzo que tienes que hacer para matarte a estudiar es enorme.
C1The effort you have to make to study your head off (work yourself to death studying) is enormous.
💡 Grammar Points
Pronoun Attachment Rule
When a verb is in its base form (infinitive) or the command form (imperative), the small pronoun 'te' (you) is attached directly to the end, forming a single word like 'matarte'.
Alternative Placement
You can also place the pronoun before the main verb, especially if the main verb is conjugated: 'Te voy a matar' (I am going to kill you) is the same as 'Voy a matarte'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Separating the Pronoun
Mistake: "Voy a matar te."
Correction: Voy a matarte. Always combine the pronoun and the infinitive into one word when attaching it to the end.
⭐ Usage Tips
Reflexive vs. Direct Object
The meaning depends on context. If the action is done to you by someone else ('Quiero matarte'), it's a direct object. If you are doing the action to yourself ('Vas a matarte'), it’s reflexive.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: matarte
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'matarte' in a figurative, non-literal sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'matarte' have an accent mark when conjugating in the past tense, like 'mató'?
The accent mark on forms like 'mató' (he/she killed) is crucial because it shows which syllable should be stressed, distinguishing it from other words or tenses. However, notice that the infinitive 'matar' and the composite 'matarte' do not require an accent because the natural stress falls on the last syllable of the base verb.