What is the difference between "asesinatos", "mata" in Spanish?

The English word 'murders' can be translated into Spanish as either 'asesinatos' or 'mata', depending on whether you are referring to the act of killing as a noun or a verb. Understanding this distinction is key to using the correct term in context.

How to Say "murders" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “murders” is “asesinatos” — use 'asesinatos' when referring to the crime of intentional killing as a plural noun.

asesinatos🔊B2

Use 'asesinatos' when referring to the crime of intentional killing as a plural noun.

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mata🔊A1

Use 'mata' when referring to the action of killing performed by a specific subject, often in a more general or less formal context than 'asesina'.

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English → Spanish

asesinatos

ah-seh-see-NAH-tohsa.se.siˈna.tos

NounB2General

Use 'asesinatos' when referring to the crime of intentional killing as a plural noun.

A high-contrast illustration showing several large, stylized deep red drops scattered unevenly across a simple, light gray path, symbolizing multiple acts of harm or murder.

Examples

La policía investiga una serie de asesinatos en la zona norte de la ciudad.

The police are investigating a series of murders in the north area of the city.

Las estadísticas muestran un descenso en los asesinatos durante el último trimestre.

The statistics show a decrease in homicides during the last quarter.

Los periódicos solo hablaban de los asesinatos políticos ocurridos la semana pasada.

The newspapers only talked about the political assassinations that occurred last week.

Plural Nouns

Since 'asesinatos' ends in a vowel ('o'), the plural is formed by adding '-s'. The singular form, used for one event, is 'asesinato'.

Masculine Gender

This word is masculine, so it uses masculine articles and adjectives: 'los asesinatos' (the murders), 'varios asesinatos' (several murders).

Mixing up Singular and Plural

Mistake: “Hubo mucho asesinato ayer.”

Correction: Hubo muchos asesinatos ayer. (Use the plural form when referring to multiple acts.)

See full entry for “asesinatos” →

mata

MAH-tahˈma.ta

VerbA1Informal

Use 'mata' when referring to the action of killing performed by a specific subject, often in a more general or less formal context than 'asesina'.

A cartoon gardener character wearing gloves and smiling, dramatically pulling a large, stylized weed completely out of the soil, illustrating the termination of life.

Examples

La policía busca a quien mata a los animales del vecindario.

The police are looking for the person who kills the neighborhood animals.

Ella siempre mata el tiempo con videojuegos mientras espera.

She always kills time with video games while she waits.

¡Mata el mosquito antes de que te pique!

Kill the mosquito before it bites you!

Talking about Others

This form, 'mata', is what you use in the present tense when the subject is 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), or 'usted' (you formal), describing an action they do right now or habitually.

Command Form

The exact same form, 'mata', is the command you give to a friend ('tú') in the positive: '¡Mata la araña!' (Kill the spider!).

Mixing up Subjects

Mistake: “Using 'yo mata' instead of 'yo mato'.”

Correction: Remember that the first-person singular ('yo' - I) always takes the '-o' ending in the present indicative for -ar verbs: 'Yo mato.' (I kill.)

See full entry for “mata” →

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

The most common mistake is using the verb form 'mata' when you mean the plural noun 'asesinatos'. Remember that 'asesinatos' refers to the events of killing, while 'mata' describes the action of killing by a subject.

Related Translations

assassinations→clump→kill!→kills→plant→you kill→

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