/maˈtaɾ/
Translation
to kill
Word origin
Origin debated. The competing accounts agree it is of Latin descent but differ on the precise etymon.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- uncertain
Other proposed origins
- Often traced to Late Latin mactare ('to slaughter, to sacrifice'). (mactare)
- Some derive it from a Vulgar Latin verb from Latin mattus ('stupefied, dazed'), in the sense of beating senseless. (mattus)
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -ar conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..
Indicative
| Person | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | mato | maté | mataba | mataré | mataría |
| tú | matas | mataste | matabas | matarás | matarías |
| él/ella/ud. | mata | mató | mataba | matará | mataría |
| nos. | matamos | matamos | matábamos | mataremos | mataríamos |
| vos. | matáis | matasteis | matabais | mataréis | mataríais |
| ellos/uds. | matan | mataron | mataban | matarán | matarían |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect (-ra) | Imperfect (-se) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | mate | matara | matase |
| tú | mates | mataras | matases |
| él/ella/ud. | mate | matara | matase |
| nos. | matemos | matáramos | matásemos |
| vos. | matéis | matarais | mataseis |
| ellos/uds. | maten | mataran | matasen |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tú | mata |
| ud. | mate |
| nosotros | matemos |
| vosotros | matad |
| uds. | maten |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- matando
- Past participle
- matado
Examples
.
Last night's cold nearly killed the plants.
.
Today's work is going to kill me with sleepiness.
.
The novel is about who wanted to kill the detective.
.
The hunter did not want to kill the wounded animal in the forest.
.
This wait is killing my nerves.
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matar: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "matar" (to kill): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 3.