Adjective
/leˈtal/
In Spanish, "letal" refers to something that is capable of causing death or is extremely harmful. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, often in legal and medical discussions, but also in everyday conversation when discussing dangerous situations or substances. The frequency of use can be considered moderately high, particularly in formal and written contexts such as legal documents, medical texts, and news reports. However, it is also used in spoken language when discussing alarming topics.
The poison they used is lethal to humans.
La enfermedad tiene un efecto letal si no se trata a tiempo.
The disease has a lethal effect if not treated in time.
La combinación de alcohol y medicamentos puede ser letal.
While "letal" itself may not be heavily featured in idiomatic expressions, it does appear in various constructions that emphasize danger or severity. Below are example sentences:
This strategy is deadlier than a bullet to eliminate the competition.
Accidente letal
The lethal accident on the highway has left a regrettable toll of victims.
Efecto letal
His lack of attention had a lethal effect on the project.
Arma letal
The word "letal" originates from the Latin "letalem," which is the accusative masculine form of "letalis," meaning "deadly" or "mortal." This reflects its consistent focus on the ideas of danger and mortality throughout its linguistic evolution.