Inklingo

How to Say "to kill" in Spanish

English → Spanish

matar

/ma-tar//maˈtaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'matar' when you mean to cause the literal death of a living thing, whether it's a person, animal, or plant.
A single, bright red flower wilting and turning brown, covered in a thin layer of white frost, symbolizing its death.

Examples

Las heladas mataron todas las flores.

The frosts killed all the flowers.

En la película, el héroe mata al dragón.

In the movie, the hero slays the dragon.

Es ilegal matar animales en peligro de extinción.

It is illegal to kill endangered animals.

Using 'a' for People and Pets

When the one being killed is a person or a beloved pet, you must put the word 'a' right before them. For example, 'El villano mató al rey' (The villain killed the king).

'matar' vs. 'morir'

Mistake: “El rey mató en la batalla.”

Correction: El rey murió en la batalla. 'Matar' is an action you do *to* someone else (to kill). 'Morir' is what happens *to* you (to die).

asesinar

/a-se-si-nar//ase.siˈnaɾ/

verbC1general
Use 'asesinar' to figuratively 'kill' something abstract like a mood, an atmosphere, a performance, or a project, implying its complete destruction or ruin.
A colorful storybook illustration of a beautiful, decorated layer cake that is being deliberately smashed and ruined by a hand, symbolizing the act of ruining or spoiling.

Examples

El tráfico pesado asesinó el ambiente romántico de la cena.

The heavy traffic killed the romantic atmosphere of the dinner.

Con esa mala iluminación, la fotografía ha asesinado todos los detalles.

With that bad lighting, the photograph has ruined all the details.

Literal vs. Figurative 'Killing'

The most common mistake is using 'asesinar' for literal death. Remember, 'asesinar' is reserved for figurative destruction, like ruining a mood. For causing actual death, always use 'matar'.

Related Translations

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