Inklingo

How to Say "you kill" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mata

MAH-tahˈma.ta

verbA1formal/singular
Use 'mata' when referring to 'he/she/it kills' or the formal 'you kill' (usted) in the present tense, often describing a habitual or ongoing action.
A cartoon gardener character wearing gloves and smiling, dramatically pulling a large, stylized weed completely out of the soil, illustrating the termination of life.

Examples

El asesino mata a sus víctimas sin piedad.

The murderer kills his victims without mercy.

La policía busca a quien mata a los animales del vecindario.

The police are looking for the person who kills the neighborhood animals.

Ella siempre mata el tiempo con videojuegos mientras espera.

She always kills time with video games while she waits.

¡Mata el mosquito antes de que te pique!

Kill the mosquito before it bites you!

Talking about Others

This form, 'mata', is what you use in the present tense when the subject is 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), or 'usted' (you formal), describing an action they do right now or habitually.

Command Form

The exact same form, 'mata', is the command you give to a friend ('tú') in the positive: '¡Mata la araña!' (Kill the spider!).

Mixing up Subjects

Mistake: “Using 'yo mata' instead of 'yo mato'.”

Correction: Remember that the first-person singular ('yo' - I) always takes the '-o' ending in the present indicative for -ar verbs: 'Yo mato.' (I kill.)

mates

MAH-tehsˈma.tes

verbA2informal
Use 'mates' when addressing someone informally (tú) and the action of killing is in the present subjunctive mood, often expressing a wish, command, or hypothetical situation.
A stylized hand reaching out to firmly pinch and extinguish a small, yellow candle flame between two fingers, symbolizing ending or killing.

Examples

Espero que no le mates la ilusión con tus críticas.

I hope you don't kill his enthusiasm with your criticism.

Si no estudias, el examen te mates de nervios.

If you don't study, the exam will kill you with nerves. (Figurative)

¡No mates la conversación con ese comentario!

Don't kill the conversation with that comment! (Informal imperative)

Two 'Tú' Forms

The word 'mates' is used for the 'you' (tú) form in two ways: describing what you currently do ('tú mates' in the present indicative) and for wishes/uncertainty ('que tú mates' in the present subjunctive).

Formal vs. Informal 'You'

The most common mistake is confusing the formal 'usted' (which uses the third-person singular verb form, like 'mata') with the informal 'tú' (which uses different verb endings, like 'mates' in the subjunctive). Always consider whether you are speaking formally or informally.

Related Translations

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