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"La matanza" is a form of "matanza", a noun which is often translated as "slaughter". "Matar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to kill". Learn more about the difference between "matar" and "la matanza" below.
matar(
mah
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to slaughter
Matan alrededor de 60 reses al día en el rastro municipal.They slaughter about 60 cattle a day in the municipal slaughterhouse.
2. (figurative) (to bother)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
3. (figurative) (to get mad at)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to kill
Mis papás me matarán si no saco buenas notas este semestre.My parents will kill me if I don't get good grades this semester.
4. (figurative) (to pass)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to kill
¿Quieres ir a un café para matar el tiempo antes de que empiece la película?Do you want to go to a cafe to kill time before the movie starts?
5. (to smooth)
a. to file down
Hay que matar la llave tantito para que quepa.You have to file the key down a bit so it will fit.
6. (to dull)
a. to tone down
Este color es demasiado fuerte para el dormitorio. Habrá que matarlo un poco.This color is far too strong for the bedroom. We'll need to tone it down a bit.
7. (to satisfy)
c. to stave off
Voy a comer unas almendras para matar el hambre.I'm going to eat some almonds to stave off my hunger.
8. (to astound)
a. to shock
Me mató tu hermano con la noticia de su boda repentina en Las Vegas.Your brother shocked me with the news of his spur-of-the-moment wedding in Las Vegas.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
9. (religious)
a. to kill
¿Es el sexto el mandamiento que habla de no matar?Is the sixth commandment the one that talks about not killing?
matarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to kill oneself
En la película, una mujer fingió matarse.In the movie, a woman pretended to kill herself.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (figurative) (to work hard)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to kill oneself
Los trabajadores se mataron para enviar el pedido a tiempo.The workers killed themselves to deliver the order on time.
12. (to die)
la matanza(
mah
-
tahn
-
sah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. slaughter
Las identidades de las víctimas de la matanza aún se desconoce.The identities of the victims of the slaughter are still unknown.
b. killing
No se puede comprender la matanza de tantos inocentes.No one can understand the killing of so many innocent people.
c. massacre
Los genocidas que perpetraron la matanza fueron juzgados.The perpretators of the genocide who committed the massacre were sent to trial.
2. (butchery)
a. slaughter
Los veganos y los vegetarianos organizaron una protesta en contra de la matanza de animales.Vegans and vegetarians staged a protest against animal slaughter.
b. slaughtering
Estos ganaderos se dedican a la matanza de cerdos.These farmers work in pig slaughtering.
3. (season)
a. slaughtering season
La matanza comienza en los meses de invierno.The slaughtering season starts in the winter months.
a. kill
La matanza estaba compuesta por cerdos de diferentes edades.The kill was made up of pigs of different ages.
5. (culinary)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Los vecinos se reunieron para disfrutar la matanza.The neighbors got together to enjoy the pork products from the slaughter.
Las mujeres prepararon los productos tradicionales con la matanza para la fiesta del pueblo.The women prepared the traditional pork products for the village feast.
