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How to Say "lethal" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “lethal” is “mortal” — use 'mortal' when referring to something that is deadly or causes death, especially in a general or natural sense, like a venom or disease..

English → Spanish

mortal

/mor-TAL//moɾˈtal/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'mortal' when referring to something that is deadly or causes death, especially in a general or natural sense, like a venom or disease.
A coiled green viper snake with fangs exposed, symbolizing extreme danger or fatality.

Examples

La cobra tiene un veneno mortal.

The cobra has a deadly venom.

Para algunos, la envidia es un pecado mortal.

For some, envy is a mortal sin.

Adjective Placement

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'mortal' usually goes after the noun it describes (e.g., 'veneno mortal').

letal

/leh-TAHL//leˈtal/

adjectiveB2general
Choose 'letal' for a direct, often scientific or technical, description of something causing death, emphasizing its deadliness.
A vibrant green snake with bared fangs next to a drop of bright venom.

Examples

El veneno de esta araña es letal para los humanos.

The venom of this spider is lethal to humans.

Fue un error letal para su carrera política.

It was a fatal mistake for his political career.

La policía confiscó un arma letal en la escena.

The police confiscated a deadly weapon at the scene.

One size fits all

In Spanish, most adjectives that end in the letter 'l' don't change for gender. You can use 'letal' for both masculine and feminine things (e.g., 'un veneno letal' and 'una dosis letal').

Avoid adding -a or -o

Mistake: “Using 'letalo' or 'letala'.”

Correction: Always use 'letal'. To make it plural for more than one thing, just add '-es' to get 'letales'.

homicida

/oh-mee-SEE-dah//omiˈθiða/

adjectiveC1formal
Use 'homicida' when the 'lethal' quality is directly related to or implies a human act of killing, such as a murder weapon.
A sharp, jagged lightning bolt striking a dark, heavy storm cloud.

Examples

Encontraron el arma homicida en el jardín.

They found the murder weapon in the garden.

Tenía una mirada homicida.

He had a murderous look in his eyes.

Matching the Noun

Even as an adjective, it ends in -a for both masculine and feminine nouns. Example: 'el ataque homicida' and 'la bala homicida'.

asesinos

ah-seh-SEE-nohs/a.seˈsi.nos/

adjectiveC1figurative
Employ 'asesinos' when describing something as extremely dangerous or deadly, often with a figurative sense of intent to kill, like powerful fists.
A close-up illustration of a character's face with intensely narrowed, shadowed eyes and a grim expression, conveying malice or murderous intent.

Examples

El boxeador tenía unos puños asesinos.

The boxer had deadly fists.

Me miró con ojos asesinos después de que rompí su plato favorito.

He looked at me with murderous eyes after I broke his favorite plate.

Adjective Agreement

When used as an adjective, 'asesinos' must match the noun it describes. It is masculine plural, so it modifies masculine plural nouns (e.g., 'puños asesinos').

Mortal vs. Letal

Learners often confuse 'mortal' and 'letal' because both mean deadly. 'Mortal' is more common and general, while 'letal' is often more specific or scientific, emphasizing the direct cause of death.

Related Translations

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