verb

matar

kill

Quitarle la vida a un ser vivo de forma intencional o accidental.

Definition & meaning

  • To kill: The primary meaning is to cause the death of a living being (person, animal, or plant).
  • To extinguish or put out: Used in the context of fire, light, or sound (e.g., "matar el fuego" or "matar la luz").
  • To exhaust: Figuratively, it refers to causing someone great physical or mental fatigue (e.g., "este trabajo me mata").
  • To quench: Used in the context of satisfying a physical need, such as thirst or hunger (e.g., "matar el hambre").
  • To delete or cancel: In informal or technical contexts, it can mean to terminate a process or remove an element.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: It is a regular transitive verb of the first conjugation (-ar).
  • Word origin: It comes from the Vulgar Latin "mattare," which is believed to have originated from the Late Latin "mactare," meaning to slaughter or sacrifice.

Synonyms & antonyms

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Examples

El perro intenta matar a un ratón.verb

The dog tries to kill a mouse.

El león mata a su presa rápidamente.verb

The lion kills its prey quickly.

El cazador mata al ciervo en el bosque.verb

The hunter kills the deer in the forest.

El cazador quiere matar al ciervo.verb

The hunter wants to kill the deer.

El gato quiere matar al pájaro.verb

The cat wants to kill the bird.

El hombre quiere matar los ratones en la casa.verb

The man wants to kill the mice in the house.

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