"mata" alternative meaning? Slang?

Question

I have a Puerto Rican friend here who is desperately trying to explain a word to me. He says it is "mata" but he does not mean "kill" or "plant" or "shrub" or "hassock" or any of that stuff. He swears it does not mean kill. But he says it is a verb. I'm lost. Can anybody help us out?

Example: Cuando alguien esta cantando y rima todo lo que dice pues "mata" significa como que se guilló.

Answer 1

Cuando alguien esta cantando y rima todo lo que dice pues "mata" significa como que se guilló.

It means he really "got down" or "was showing off/out" or really "shined."

Try taking a look at this thread it might be helpful: Guillar

thanks, very helpful. The link to Guillar also helped. Same genre, Puerto Rican reggaeton. - bluegill, Oct 14, 2009

Glad I could help - Izanoni1, Oct 14, 2009

Answer 2

If you were to add some context to how your friend is trying to use the word then it might be a bit more helpful. The RAE lists at least 18 different meanings for the verb matar depending on the context.

It would probably be helpful if you could get your friend to use it in a sentence and then post that sentence here.