matón
/mah-TONE/
bully
A 'matón' is a bully who uses their size or power to intimidate others.
matón(noun)
bully
?someone who intimidates others at school or work
thug
?a tough person who uses violence
,hired killer
?a professional assassin or hitman
📝 In Action
El matón de la clase siempre se burlaba de los más pequeños.
B1The class bully always made fun of the smaller kids.
El villano mandó a un matón para recuperar el dinero.
B2The villain sent a thug to get the money back.
💡 Grammar Points
The Power of '-ón'
The ending '-ón' is often added to words to mean 'someone who does something a lot' or to make the meaning 'bigger.' Since 'matar' means 'to kill,' a 'matón' is someone who acts like a killer or a big tough guy.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not always a murderer
Mistake: "Thinking 'matón' only means a literal killer."
Correction: In daily life, it most often refers to a social 'bully' rather than someone who has actually killed someone.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context Matters
Use this word when you want to describe someone who uses their strength or power to scare others.
The word 'matón' can also describe someone who has a tough-looking appearance.
matón(adjective)
tough-looking
?describing an appearance or attitude
bullying
?describing behavior
📝 In Action
Llevaba una chaqueta de cuero con un estilo muy matón.
B2He was wearing a leather jacket with a very tough-looking style.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Objects
You can use 'matón' as an adjective to describe someone's 'look' (aire) or 'style' (estilo) if they are trying to appear dangerous.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: matón
Question 1 of 1
If you call someone a 'matón' in a school setting, what are you most likely saying?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'matón' always a bad thing?
Yes, almost always. It describes someone who uses intimidation or violence. The only exception is very specific regional slang where it might mean 'cool,' but you should stick to the 'bully' meaning to be safe.
What is the female version of 'matón'?
The female version is 'matona,' though 'matón' is frequently used to describe the general concept of a bully.