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How to Say "you die" in Spanish

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mueres

MWEH-rehs/ˈmweɾes/

VerbA2Informal
Use 'mueres' when speaking directly to one person informally (tú) in the present tense, indicating a consequence or a factual statement about their potential death.
A simple illustration of a person lying still and peacefully in a grassy field at night, with a faint glowing mist surrounding them, symbolizing passing away.

Examples

Si no comes, mueres.

If you don't eat, you die.

Si no tomas agua, mueres de sed.

If you don't drink water, you die of thirst.

Dicen que cuando mueres, ves tu vida pasar.

They say that when you die, you see your life flash by.

The O>UE Boot Change

The verb 'morir' changes the 'o' in the middle of the word to 'ue' when the stress falls on that syllable. This happens for all present tense forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Tú moris (Incorrect stem)”

Correction: Tú mueres. Remember that the 'o' changes to 'ue' in the 'tú' form.

mueren

/MWER-en//ˈmweɾen/

VerbA1Formal/Plural
Use 'mueren' when referring to multiple people or one person formally (ustedes) in the present tense, or when talking about things (like plants or animals) dying.
A storybook illustration showing three colorful flowers dramatically wilting and losing their petals.

Examples

Ustedes mueren si no obedecen la ley.

You (plural/formal) die if you don't obey the law.

Las flores mueren en invierno si no las cuidas.

The flowers die in winter if you don't take care of them.

Dicen que mueren más personas por accidentes que por enfermedades.

They say that more people die from accidents than from illnesses.

Ustedes mueren de sed si siguen caminando bajo este sol.

You (formal plural) will die of thirst if you keep walking under this sun.

Stem-Changing Verb

The vowel 'o' in the stem of 'morir' changes to 'ue' in the present tense (mueren), except for the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms (morimos, morís).

Past Tense Vowel Change

Be careful in the past simple (preterite): the 'o' changes to 'u' in the third-person forms (murió, murieron). This is an extra irregularity!

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Ellos moran de miedo.”

Correction: Ellos mueren de miedo. (Remember the o > ue change in the present tense for 'they'.)

mueras

/MWEH-rahs//ˈmweɾas/

VerbA2Subjunctive/Wish/Fear
Use 'mueras' in the present subjunctive mood, typically to express a wish, hope, fear, doubt, or a negative command directed at one person informally (tú).
A single, bright red rose wilting dramatically on its stem, petals drooping toward the ground, symbolizing the end of life.

Examples

No quiero que te mueras.

I don't want you to die.

No quiero que te mueras sin ver París.

I don't want you to die without seeing Paris.

Dudo que mueras de aburrimiento en esta fiesta.

I doubt that you will die of boredom at this party.

¡No mueras de hambre, come algo rápido!

Don't starve (literally: don't die of hunger), eat something quickly!

Subjunctive Form

This form ('mueras') is the special verb form used when you talk about wishes, doubts, or emotions related to what 'tú' (you) might do.

Stem Change

The base verb 'morir' changes the 'o' to 'ue' in most present forms (like 'muero' or 'mueras'), but it changes the 'o' to 'u' in the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' subjunctive forms ('muramos').

Using the wrong mood

Mistake: “Espero que tú mueres pronto.”

Correction: Espero que tú mueras pronto. (We need the special verb form when expressing hope or desire.)

Indicative vs. Subjunctive Mood

The most common mistake is confusing the indicative mood ('mueres', 'mueren') with the subjunctive mood ('mueras'). Remember that 'mueres' and 'mueren' state facts or consequences, while 'mueras' expresses wishes, fears, or commands, often following phrases like 'no quiero que' or 'espero que'.

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