Inklingo

How to Say "they murdered" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mataron

/mah-TAH-rohn//maˈtaɾon/

verbB1General
Use 'mataron' when referring to the act of killing in a general sense, which can include murder but also other forms of causing death, and is the more common and versatile term.
Two victorious cartoon heroes, dressed in colorful armor, stand over a large, still, defeated monster.

Examples

Los testigos confirmaron que los ladrones mataron a la víctima.

The witnesses confirmed that the thieves killed the victim.

Ustedes mataron el proyecto con esa decisión tan arriesgada.

You all killed the project with that risky decision.

Mataron el tiempo esperando el tren, jugando a las cartas.

They killed time waiting for the train, playing cards.

Identifying the Subject

The '-aron' ending always tells you the action was done by 'ellos' (they, masculine/mixed), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal).

Preterite Tense Function

This form is the simple past tense, used for actions that started and finished completely at a specific point in time (e.g., 'yesterday,' 'last week').

Preterite vs. Imperfect

Mistake: “Using 'mataban' (imperfect) when referring to a single, completed event.”

Correction: Use 'mataron' when describing a specific act of killing that finished. 'Mataban' suggests repeated or ongoing killing.

asesinaron

ah-seh-see-NAH-rohn/ase.siˈna.ɾon/

verbB2Formal
Use 'asesinaron' when you specifically mean 'they murdered' in the sense of an unlawful and premeditated killing, carrying a more formal and direct connotation of murder.
Three simplified, dark figures standing over a still, prone figure on the ground in a dimly lit, dramatic clearing, emphasizing the completion of a fatal group action.

Examples

Los testigos dijeron que los hombres lo asesinaron en la calle.

The witnesses said that the men murdered him in the street.

Las noticias reportaron que asesinaron al embajador durante su visita.

The news reported that they assassinated the ambassador during his visit.

¿Por qué asesinaron a tantas personas inocentes en esa guerra?

Why did they murder so many innocent people in that war?

Identifying the Speaker

This form, 'asesinaron', always refers to a group: 'ellos' (they, masculine or mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal).

Preterite Tense (Simple Past)

This verb form tells you the action (murdering) happened once and finished completely at a specific point in the past. It's a completed past event, not an ongoing habit.

Confusing Past Forms

Mistake: “Using 'asesinaban' (imperfect) when referring to a single, completed event.”

Correction: Use 'asesinaron' for a finished action ('They murdered him yesterday'). Use 'asesinaban' only if describing a past habit or setting a background scene ('They were murdering people during that decade').

Murder vs. Kill

Learners often confuse 'mataron' and 'asesinaron' because 'mataron' can often encompass the meaning of murder. However, remember that 'asesinaron' is specifically for unlawful killing, while 'mataron' is a broader term for 'they killed'.

Related Translations

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