murió
/moo-ree-OH/
he died
The wilted plant illustrates the literal meaning of murió (it died), referring to the end of life or existence.
murió(Verb)
he died
?Talking about a male person or animal
,she died
?Talking about a female person or animal
,it died
?Talking about an animal, plant, or concept
,you died
?Formal 'you' (usted)
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo murió el año pasado.
A2My grandfather died last year.
La planta murió porque no la regué.
A2The plant died because I didn't water it.
El famoso cantante murió en un accidente de avión.
B1The famous singer died in a plane crash.
💡 Grammar Points
A Specific, Finished Past Action
'Murió' is a form of the verb 'morir' (to die) used for a completed action in the past. It tells you that someone or something died at a specific point, and that event is completely over. Think of it as a snapshot of a past event.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'moría' vs. 'murió'
Mistake: "El hombre moría cuando llegó la ambulancia."
Correction: El hombre se moría cuando llegó la ambulancia. 'Murió' means it happened and finished. 'Se moría' (from morirse) is better to describe the *process* of dying that was happening at that moment.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Softer Alternative
While 'murió' is perfectly correct, in many situations, especially when speaking about someone you knew, it's common to use 'falleció' (passed away) as a softer, more respectful alternative.
This image captures the figurative meaning, as in murió de risa (he/she died of laughter), meaning to laugh intensely.
murió(Verb)
he/she died
?Figurative, e.g., 'died of laughter'
he/she was dying for/to
?To express strong desire, often with 'por' or 'de ganas de'
📝 In Action
Casi murió de la risa cuando le conté el chiste.
B1He almost died of laughter when I told him the joke.
Murió de vergüenza cuando se cayó en público.
B1She died of embarrassment when she fell in public.
Murió por volver a verla, pero ella nunca regresó.
B2He was dying to see her again, but she never came back.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding 'se' for Emphasis
In these exaggerated, figurative phrases, you'll very often see 'se murió' instead of just 'murió'. For example, 'Se murió de la risa'. Adding 'se' (from the verb 'morirse') makes it sound more personal and intense, like it really happened to them.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: murió
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'murió' in a figurative (not literal) way?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'murió' and 'moría'?
'Murió' is for a finished past action: 'He died yesterday.' It's a completed event. 'Moría' describes an action in progress in the past: 'He was dying when the doctor arrived.' It focuses on the process, not the final result.
Is it rude to say 'murió'?
Not at all, it's the most direct and common way to say 'he/she died'. However, in some contexts, people prefer the softer term 'falleció' (passed away), which can sound more formal and respectful.
Why do I sometimes see 'se murió'?
Using 'se murió' (from the verb 'morirse') often adds a bit more personal or emotional emphasis. It can suggest a more natural or unexpected death, or it's used very commonly in the figurative senses, like 'se murió de risa' (he died of laughter).