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How to Say "slaughter" in Spanish

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masacre

/mah-SAH-kreh//maˈsakɾe/

nounB2general
Use 'masacre' for a violent killing of many people, or for a severe defeat in a game or sport.
A row of fallen chess pieces on a board, symbolizing a great loss.

Examples

Los periódicos informaron sobre la masacre en la frontera.

The newspapers reported on the massacre at the border.

Es necesario recordar la historia para no repetir una masacre así.

It is necessary to remember history so as not to repeat such a massacre.

El partido de ayer fue una masacre; perdimos seis a cero.

Yesterday's game was a slaughter; we lost six to zero.

El examen fue una masacre, nadie aprobó.

The exam was a wipeout, nobody passed.

Gender Alert

Even though it ends in 'e', 'masacre' is a feminine noun. You must use 'la' or 'una' with it.

matanza

/mah-TAHN-sah//maˈtanθa/

nounB1general
Use 'matanza' for a violent killing in large numbers, particularly in historical or war contexts, or for the traditional killing of animals for food.
A row of fallen chess pieces on a board, symbolizing a heavy defeat.

Examples

En el pueblo, la matanza del cerdo es una tradición de invierno.

In the village, the pig slaughter is a winter tradition.

Los historiadores escribieron sobre la matanza ocurrida en la guerra.

The historians wrote about the massacre that happened in the war.

Debemos evitar otra matanza de civiles inocentes.

We must avoid another slaughter of innocent civilians.

Ya tienen todo listo para la matanza de mañana.

They have everything ready for tomorrow's slaughter.

Noun Gender

This word ends in -a and is feminine. Always use feminine markers like 'la' or 'una' with it.

Nouns from Verbs

The suffix -anza is added to the verb 'matar' to name the whole process or event.

Confusion with 'Matar'

Mistake: “Using 'matanza' as a verb.”

Correction: Use 'matar' for the action (to kill) and 'matanza' for the name of the event (the killing).

Masacre vs. Matanza

Learners often confuse 'masacre' and 'matanza' when referring to violent killings. Remember that 'masacre' is more common for large-scale, often unexpected, violent events or overwhelming defeats, while 'matanza' can also refer to the specific practice of animal slaughter for food.

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