Meaning and behavior
What does matar mean?
Matar means to kill, slay. VerbyGo classifies it as a regular -AR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to put out, extinguish (a flame or light); to butcher.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- matar
- Gerund
- matando
- Past participle
- matado
Regular -AR pattern
How this verb behaves
Matar follows the regular -ar pattern in the four tenses shown here.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of matar for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Matar |
|---|---|
| yo | mato |
| tú | matas |
| él / ella / usted | mata |
| nosotros / nosotras | matamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | matáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | matan |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of matar is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Matar |
|---|---|
| yo | maté |
| tú | mataste |
| él / ella / usted | mató |
| nosotros / nosotras | matamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | matasteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | mataron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of matar, or for background information.
| Subject | Matar |
|---|---|
| yo | mataba |
| tú | matabas |
| él / ella / usted | mataba |
| nosotros / nosotras | matábamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | matabais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | mataban |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of matar for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Matar |
|---|---|
| yo | mataré |
| tú | matarás |
| él / ella / usted | matará |
| nosotros / nosotras | mataremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | mataréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | matarán |
Verified context
Examples with matar
Tom no mató a Mary.
Tom didn't kill Mary.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRYo los maté a ambos.
I killed them both.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRÉl mató a ese hombre.
He killed that man.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Matar FAQ
What does matar mean?
Matar means to kill, slay.
Is matar regular or irregular?
Matar is a regular -AR verb.
What is the gerund of matar?
The gerund of matar is matando.
What is the past participle of matar?
The past participle of matar is matado.
How is matar conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is mato, matas, mata, matamos, matan.
How is matar conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is maté, mataste, mató, matamos, mataron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.