morir
/moh-REER/
to die
Visualizing the literal meaning: 'The plants died (murieron) from lack of water.'
morir(Verb)
to die
?The literal end of life for a person, animal, or plant.
to pass away
?A slightly more gentle or formal way to express the primary meaning.
,to die out
?When talking about traditions or species.
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo murió el año pasado.
A2My grandfather died last year.
Las plantas murieron por falta de agua.
A2The plants died from lack of water.
Muchas tradiciones antiguas están muriendo.
B1Many old traditions are dying out.
💡 Grammar Points
A Shape-Shifting Verb
'Morir' changes its spelling in certain situations. The 'o' often becomes 'ue' (like in 'muero') or just 'u' (like in 'murió' and 'muramos'). This happens with many common verbs!
The Past Form 'Muerto'
To say something 'has died' or 'is dead,' you use the special form 'muerto,' not 'morido.' For example, 'El pez ha muerto' (The fish has died) or 'El pez está muerto' (The fish is dead).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Morido'
Mistake: "El pájaro ha morido."
Correction: El pájaro ha muerto. 'Morir' has a special, irregular form for this job: 'muerto'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Being Formal
When speaking about someone's death in a formal or respectful way, especially in the news, people often use 'fallecer' instead of 'morir'.
This image shows the figurative use, meaning 'to be freezing': 'You're going to die of cold (morir de frío).'
morir(Verb)
to be dying of/from
?Used to exaggerate a strong feeling or sensation.
to be starving
?Literally 'dying of hunger'
,to be freezing
?Literally 'dying of cold'
,to be cracking up
?Literally 'dying of laughter'
📝 In Action
¡Qué calor! Me muero.
B1It's so hot! I'm dying.
Casi me muero de la risa con tu chiste.
B1I almost died of laughter at your joke.
Necesito comer algo ya, me muero de hambre.
A2I need to eat something now, I'm starving (dying of hunger).
Ponte un abrigo, te vas a morir de frío.
B1Put on a coat, you're going to freeze (die of cold).
⭐ Usage Tips
The Pattern for Exaggeration
To express an intense feeling, use the pattern 'morir(se) de + [feeling]'. For example, 'morir de aburrimiento' (to be bored to death) or 'morir de vergüenza' (to be dying of embarrassment).
Depicting the informal meaning, 'to be dying for': 'I am dying for (me muero por) a chocolate ice cream.'
morir(Verb)
to be crazy about
?To love or want someone or something intensely.
to be dying for/to do something
?To have a very strong craving or desire.
📝 In Action
Me muero por un helado de chocolate.
B1I'm dying for a chocolate ice cream.
Los niños se mueren por ir a la playa.
B2The kids are dying to go to the beach.
Desde que la conoció, se muere por ella.
B2Ever since he met her, he's been crazy about her.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Pattern for Desire
To express a strong craving, use the pattern 'morir(se) por + [thing or action]'. For example, 'Me muero por verte' (I'm dying to see you).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: morir
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'morir' to mean 'I am very hungry'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'morir' and 'morirse'?
Great question! Often, they mean the same thing, but 'morirse' can add a bit more personal or emotional emphasis, especially in everyday speech. For the literal act of dying, both are used. For figurative meanings like 'morirse de risa' (to die of laughter), the '-se' form is almost always used.
Why is the past participle 'muerto' and not 'morido'?
'Morir' is an irregular verb, and like some other very common verbs (like 'escribir' -> 'escrito' or 'abrir' -> 'abierto'), it has a special form from its Latin roots. You just have to memorize this one, but you'll see and hear 'muerto' so often that it will soon feel natural!