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"Morir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to die", and "matarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to kill oneself". Learn more about the difference between "morir" and "matarse" below.
morir(
moh
-
reer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to perish)
2. (colloquial) (to stop working)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to die (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Ay, no! Mi computadora murió en medio de la película.Oh no! My computer died in the middle of the movie.
morirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (to perish)
a. to die
Somos una familia longeva. Mi abuela se murió con 104 años.We're a long-lived family. My grandmother died when she was 104 years old.
a. to be dying of
¿Me das un vaso de agua? Me muero de sed.Can I have a glass of water? I'm dying of thirst.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo que comer algo. Me muero de hambre.I need to eat something. I'm starving.
Siempre nos morimos de risa con él.We always laugh our heads off with him.
b. to be dying for
Seguro que te mueres por una cerveza bien fría después de tanto trabajar en el huerto.I bet you're dying for a really cold beer after all that work in the kitchen garden.
a. to be crazy about
Me muero por mi sobrinito. ¡Es tan gracioso!I'm crazy about my little nephew. He's so funny!
7. (figurative) (to feel very embarrassed)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to die (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Si me ven aquí, me muero.I'll die if anyone sees me here.
matarse(
mah
-
tahr
-
seh
)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.).
2. (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.
3. (to die)
matar
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.
5. (figurative) (to bother)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
6. (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.
7. (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?
8. (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.
9. (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.
10. (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.
11. (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.).
12. (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?
