Inklingo

How to Say "to kill" in Spanish

English → Spanish

matar

ma-tarmaˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'matar' when referring to the literal act of causing the death of a living thing, such as 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-narase.siˈnaɾ

verbC1figurative
Use 'asesinar' figuratively to describe the destruction of something abstract, like a mood, atmosphere, or performance, implying a ruinous effect.
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.

ultimar

ool-tee-MAHRultiˈmaɾ

verbC1violent, journalistic
Use 'ultimar' in violent contexts, often found in journalism, to report the death of someone, especially as a result of a confrontation or crime.
A fallen wooden toy soldier lying on a flat surface.

Examples

El delincuente fue ultimado por la policía en el tiroteo.

The criminal was killed by the police in the shootout.

Fue ultimado de tres disparos según el informe forense.

He was killed by three shots according to the forensic report.

Journalistic Euphemism

This meaning is often used in newspapers as a more formal or clinical way to say someone was killed, similar to 'slain' in English news.

Figurative vs. Literal Killing

Learners often mistakenly use 'matar' for figurative destruction. Remember that 'asesinar' is specifically for ruining abstract concepts like moods or atmospheres, while 'matar' is for literal death.

Related Translations

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