Inklingo

How to Say "to die" in Spanish

English → Spanish

morir

/moh-REER//moˈɾiɾ/

verbA2
Use 'morir' for the literal, definitive end of life for a living being, such as a person, animal, or plant.
A close-up of a dry, brown, withered plant in a pot, illustrating the end of life due to lack of water.

Examples

El rosal murió durante el invierno.

The rose bush died during the winter.

Mi abuelo murió el año pasado.

My grandfather died last year.

Las plantas murieron por falta de agua.

The plants died from lack of water.

Muchas tradiciones antiguas están muriendo.

Many old traditions are dying out.

A Shape-Shifting Verb

'Morir' changes its spelling in certain situations. The 'o' often becomes 'ue' (like in 'muero') or just 'u' (like in 'murió' and 'muramos'). This happens with many common verbs!

The Past Form 'Muerto'

To say something 'has died' or 'is dead,' you use the special form 'muerto,' not 'morido.' For example, 'El pez ha muerto' (The fish has died) or 'El pez está muerto' (The fish is dead).

Using 'Morido'

Mistake: “El pájaro ha morido.”

Correction: El pájaro ha muerto. 'Morir' has a special, irregular form for this job: 'muerto'.

acabar

ah-kah-BAHR/a.kaˈβaɾ/

verbA2informal
Use 'acabar' in a euphemistic or poetic sense, often implying something has run out or come to an end, but not necessarily in the context of life.
A clear glass jar is lying empty on a table, symbolizing that supplies have run out.

Examples

Mi paciencia se acabó.

My patience ran out.

Se me acabó la leche. ¿Puedes comprar más?

I ran out of milk. Can you buy more?

Cuando las vacaciones se acaben, tengo que volver al trabajo.

When the holidays are over, I have to return to work.

Si no bebes agua pronto, la batería del coche se acabará.

If you don't drink water soon, the car's battery will run out (of charge).

The Power of 'Se'

When something runs out or finishes on its own, you MUST use 'se' and conjugate the verb to match the thing that is gone (not the person). Example: El dinero se acabó (The money ran out).

Accidental Usage (A2/B1)

To say 'I ran out of X,' Spanish often uses the structure 'Se me acabó X,' where the running out happens 'to me,' but the thing ('X') is still the subject.

Forgetting 'Se'

Mistake: “La gasolina acabó.”

Correction: La gasolina se acabó. (You must use 'se' when the item finishes on its own.)

Literal vs. Figurative Use

Learners often confuse 'morir' and 'acabar' by using 'acabar' for the literal death of a person or animal. Remember that 'morir' is the direct translation for the end of life, while 'acabar' is generally used for things running out or finishing, or in very poetic contexts for life ending.

Related Translations

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