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How to Say "to slay" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to slay” is “matar” — use 'matar' when referring to killing in a general sense, especially in stories, historical contexts, or when discussing the death of plants or animals.

English → Spanish

matar

ma-tarmaˈtaɾ

VerbA2General/Informal
Use 'matar' when referring to killing in a general sense, especially in stories, historical contexts, or when discussing the death of plants or animals.
A single, bright red flower wilting and turning brown, covered in a thin layer of white frost, symbolizing its death.

Examples

El dragón mató al caballero.

The dragon slew the knight.

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

VerbB1Formal/Literary
Choose 'asesinar' for 'to slay' when referring to the act of murder, particularly in a legal, journalistic, or historical investigation context, implying a premeditated killing.
A storybook illustration depicting one stylized figure standing over another figure who is lying completely still on the ground, symbolizing the act of murder.

Examples

Se cree que el asesino serial planeó asesinar a sus víctimas.

The serial killer is believed to have planned to slay his victims.

La investigación busca a la persona que pudo asesinar al periodista.

The investigation is looking for the person who could have murdered the journalist.

El dictador fue asesinado en 1985.

The dictator was assassinated in 1985.

No hay motivo para asesinar a nadie.

There is no reason to murder anyone.

Regular AR Verb

This is a regular verb ending in -ar, which means it follows the standard, predictable pattern for conjugation. Once you know one regular -ar verb (like 'hablar'), you know them all!

The Personal 'a'

Because 'asesinar' acts upon a person (the victim), you must use the little word 'a' right before the person's name or title: 'Asesinaron al presidente.'

Confusing 'asesinar' and 'matar'

Mistake: “Using 'asesinar' when you just mean 'kill' in a non-criminal context (like killing a bug).”

Correction: 'Asesinar' means *murder* or *assassinate* (always intentional and illegal). Use 'matar' for general killing. 'Maté una mosca' (I killed a fly).

ultimar

ool-tee-MAHRultiˈmaɾ

VerbC1Formal/Literary
Employ 'ultimar' in literary or formal writing when describing the act of killing, often in contexts of combat, law enforcement, or historical events where the victim is subdued or eliminated.
A fallen wooden toy soldier lying on a flat surface.

Examples

Los rebeldes fueron ultimados en la batalla.

The rebels were slain in battle.

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.

Matar vs. Asesinar

Learners often confuse 'matar' and 'asesinar'. Remember that 'asesinar' specifically denotes murder, a criminal act against a person. 'Matar' is broader and can refer to killing anything, including animals or plants, or even in less formal contexts of human killing.

Related Translations

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