mato (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The word "mato" is primarily a verb in Spanish. It is the first person singular form of the verb "matar" in the present indicative tense.

Phonetic Transcription

/má.to/

Translation Options

• I kill
• I am killing

Meaning and Usage

"Mato" is the first person singular present tense form of the verb "matar," which means "to kill." It is commonly used to express the action of killing in both literal and metaphorical contexts. The word is more frequently used in oral speech than in written forms, particularly in informal conversations.

Example Sentences

1. Yo mato a los malos en las películas.

2. I kill the bad guys in the movies.

3. En este juego, yo mato a los monstruos para ganar puntos.

4. In this game, I kill the monsters to earn points.

Idiomatic Expressions

The word "matar" is often used in various idiomatic expressions in Spanish:

1. Matar dos pájaros de un tiro.
2. To kill two birds with one stone.
3. Lograr dos objetivos con una sola acción.

4. Achieve two objectives with a single action.

5. Matar el tiempo.

6. To kill time.
7. Hacer algo para que pase el tiempo más rápido.

8. Do something to pass the time more quickly.

9. Matar la gallina de los huevos de oro.

10. To kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
11. Destruir algo valioso por codicia.

12. To destroy something valuable out of greed.

13. Matar el gusanillo.

14. To satisfy a craving.
15. Aliviar una necesidad o deseo.

16. Relieve a need or desire.

17. Matar la envidia.

18. To kill envy.
19. Superar los sentimientos de envidia.
20. Overcome feelings of envy.

Example Sentences for Idiomatic Expressions

1. Siempre intento matar dos pájaros de un tiro cuando hago mis tareas.

2. I always try to kill two birds with one stone when I do my homework.

3. En el tren, leí un libro para matar el tiempo.

4. On the train, I read a book to kill time.

5. Si sigues gastando así, vas a matar la gallina de los huevos de oro.

6. If you keep spending like that, you will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

7. Hice un pequeño bocadillo para matar el gusanillo antes de la cena.

8. I had a small snack to satisfy my craving before dinner.

9. Traté de matar la envidia, pero no es fácil cuando todos tus amigos están teniendo éxito.

10. I tried to kill envy, but it's not easy when all your friends are succeeding.

Etymology

The verb "matar" comes from the Latin "māttāre," which means "to kill or to slay." The transformation into Spanish involved changes in pronunciation and conjugation structure.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Asegurar (to ensure)
• Eliminar (to eliminate)
• Acabar con (to end)

Antonyms

• Salvar (to save)
• Proteger (to protect)
• Rescatar (to rescue)

Overall, "mato" is a versatile verb in Spanish, commonly used in a variety of contexts that can encapsulate literal and figurative meanings.