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How to Say "assassinated" in Spanish

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asesinado

/a-se-si-NA-do//ase.siˈna.ðo/

verbA2general
Use this when the act of killing a person, especially a prominent one, is the main action being described, often by a criminal element.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing a small, worn teddy bear lying alone on a patch of green grass, symbolizing loss.

Examples

La banda criminal ha asesinado a varios periodistas.

The criminal gang has murdered several journalists.

El político asesinado había recibido amenazas de muerte.

The assassinated politician had received death threats.

Encontramos el cuerpo asesinado en el sótano.

We found the murdered body in the basement.

El presidente fue asesinado hace diez años. (Passive Voice)

The president was assassinated ten years ago.

Gender and Number Match

As an adjective, 'asesinado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'asesinada' (f.), 'asesinados' (m. pl.), 'asesinadas' (f. pl.).

Using the Participle

The past participle ('asesinado') is combined with the helper verb 'haber' to talk about actions that have been completed (e.g., 'Hemos asesinado' - We have murdered).

Passive Voice

When used with the verb 'ser' (to be), it forms the passive voice, emphasizing the victim and not the killer: 'Fue asesinado' (He was murdered). In this context, it acts like an adjective and must agree in gender/number.

asesinado

/a-se-si-NA-do//ase.siˈna.ðo/

adjectiveB1formal
Use this to describe someone who has been killed, particularly a political figure, emphasizing their status after the act.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing a small, worn teddy bear lying alone on a patch of green grass, symbolizing loss.

Examples

El político asesinado había recibido amenazas de muerte.

The assassinated politician had received death threats.

Encontramos el cuerpo asesinado en el sótano.

We found the murdered body in the basement.

La banda criminal ha asesinado a varios periodistas.

The criminal gang has murdered several journalists. (Uses 'haber')

El presidente fue asesinado hace diez años. (Passive Voice)

The president was assassinated ten years ago.

Gender and Number Match

As an adjective, 'asesinado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'asesinada' (f.), 'asesinados' (m. pl.), 'asesinadas' (f. pl.).

Using the Participle

The past participle ('asesinado') is combined with the helper verb 'haber' to talk about actions that have been completed (e.g., 'Hemos asesinado' - We have murdered).

Passive Voice

When used with the verb 'ser' (to be), it forms the passive voice, emphasizing the victim and not the killer: 'Fue asesinado' (He was murdered). In this context, it acts like an adjective and must agree in gender/number.

verbB2formal
Use this specific past tense form when referring to the act of killing a prominent person for political reasons, focusing on the perpetrator's action.

Examples

La prensa reportó que el criminal asesinó a su víctima en la calle.

The press reported that the criminal murdered his victim in the street.

Verb vs. Adjective 'asesinado'

Learners often confuse the verb form 'asesinado' (meaning 'has murdered') with the adjective form 'asesinado' (meaning 'assassinated'). Pay attention to the context: if it's the main action, use the verb; if it describes the person, use the adjective.

Related Translations

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