mató
“mató” means “he/she killed” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
he/she killed
Also: it killed, you killed
📝 In Action
El cazador mató al ciervo.
A2The hunter killed the deer.
La helada mató todas las plantas del jardín.
B1The frost killed all the plants in the garden.
Según el informe, el veneno lo mató instantáneamente.
B2According to the report, the poison killed him instantly.
it killed / it ruined
Also: he/she wore out, it was a killer
📝 In Action
Su comentario grosero mató el buen ambiente de la cena.
B2His rude comment killed the good atmosphere of the dinner.
El final de la película me mató, ¡fue muy triste!
B1The end of the movie killed me, it was so sad!
¡Ese chiste me mató de la risa!
B1That joke killed me with laughter!
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "mató" in Spanish:
it killed→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: mató
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'mató' in a figurative (not literal) way?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'mactāre', which originally meant 'to honor' or 'to sacrifice' to the gods. Over time, the meaning shifted from a ritual killing to the general act of killing.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'mató' and 'mataba'?
Both are past tenses, but they describe the past differently. 'Mató' is for a single, completed action, like a snapshot: 'The hunter killed the deer.' 'Mataba' (the imperfect tense) is for ongoing or repeated actions in the past, like a video: 'In the story, the dragon was killing villagers every week.'
Is 'matar' always a negative or violent word?
While its main meaning is serious, Spanish speakers use it figuratively all the time in informal situations. Expressions like 'matar el tiempo' (to kill time) or 'me mató de la risa' (it killed me with laughter) are very common and not considered violent at all.