The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of matar is used to give direct orders or instructions, for example Mata la araña. (Kill the spider.)

Matar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in this mood follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Matar (to kill) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian Spanish):

Matar generally means to kill or slay, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

Literally kill or slay: This is the most direct meaning, used when commanding someone to end a life, for example, ¡Mata a ese animal! (Kill that animal!) It carries a very harsh and violent connotation.

Figuratively kill or destroy: It can mean to completely ruin, demolish or obliterate something in a figurative sense, for example, ¡Mátalo con tu respuesta! (Kill it with your response!) Implying to deliver a devastating counterargument.

Exhaust or drain: In a more casual context, it can mean to completely drain someone’s energy or motivation, for example, ¡Mátalos en el entrenamiento! (Kill them in training!) Meaning to push them to their physical limits.

Overwhelm with intensity: It can convey a sense of overwhelming intensity, often used with emotions or sensations, for example, ¡Me estás matando de la risa! (You’re killing me with laughter!) Expressing being overcome by intense laughter.

Slang: Impress greatly: In colloquial usage, it can mean to impress or amaze someone greatly, for example, ¡Mátalo en el escenario! (Kill it on stage!) Encouraging someone to give an incredibly impressive performance.

Examples

Examples of Matar in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Mata esa cucaracha! (Kill that cockroach!)

Niños, matemos el tiempo jugando un juego. (Kids, let’s kill some time playing a game.)

¡Matad el ruido! Estoy tratando de estudiar. (Kill the noise! I’m trying to study.)

Amigos, maten sus ganas de comer chatarra. (Friends, kill your cravings for junk food.)

Oye, ¿puedes matar el aire acondicionado? Hace mucho frío. (Hey, can you kill the AC? It’s too cold.)

Antes de irnos, matemos las luces y cerremos las ventanas. (Before we leave, let’s kill the lights and close the windows.)

¡Mata el tiempo leyendo un libro mientras esperas! (Kill some time reading a book while you wait!)

Jefe, ¿puedo matar la computadora? Ya terminé mi trabajo. (Boss, can I kill the computer? I finished my work.)

¡Maten esas malas costumbres de una vez! (Kill those bad habits once and for all!)

Mamá, mata la televisión y ven a cenar. (Mom, kill the TV and come have dinner.)

Oigan, maten el escándalo afuera. Los vecinos se van a quejar. (Hey, kill the ruckus outside. The neighbors will complain.)

¿Puedes matar la música? Me está dando dolor de cabeza. (Can you kill the music? It’s giving me a headache.)

Antes de salir de vacaciones, matemos todas las luces y el aire acondicionado. (Before going on vacation, let’s kill all the lights and AC.)

¡Matad esas ganas de rendirse! ¡Ustedes pueden lograrlo! (Kill those feelings of giving up! You can do it!)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Matar (to kill) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperative mood is also known as the Command Form, Affirmative Command Mood, or Direct Command Form in English, and as Modo Imperativo, Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, or Forma de Mandato in Spanish.