Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


Can't figure out the conjugation of the verb 'matar'

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old February 22, 2012, 03:03 PM
aycaramba's Avatar
aycaramba aycaramba is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Native Language: Moroccan Arabic
aycaramba is on a distinguished road
Exclamation Can't figure out the conjugation of the verb 'matar'

Hola,

So I'm still learning spanish, and I was wondering why we'd say '(yo) maté' when we want to say 'I killed', but we should say 'mató' as in 'It was me who killed him': 'Fui yo quien lo mató'. I mean it's still ME who killed HIM, so shouldn't I say 'maté' instead? That would make more sense in my opinion... I'm pretty sure I'm wrong, since I've heard this (the use of 'mató' instead of 'maté') many times in several movies. Could somebody please help me out here and explain to me why it should be this way?

Gracias!
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old February 22, 2012, 03:30 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
Because "quien" introduces a third person.

Yo lo maté. -> I killed him.
Fui yo quien lo mató. -> I was the one who killed him.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old February 22, 2012, 03:43 PM
aycaramba's Avatar
aycaramba aycaramba is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Native Language: Moroccan Arabic
aycaramba is on a distinguished road
Ahhh, ahora lo entiendo. Entonces, puedo decir 'Fui yo que lo maté' o 'Fui yo quien lo mató', no?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old February 22, 2012, 03:43 PM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
The explanation is because after a relative we use 3rd person sigular like in English.
Yo maté
Tu mataste
el mató
I,m not completely sure but if you think about it , its quite logical.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old February 22, 2012, 03:51 PM
aycaramba's Avatar
aycaramba aycaramba is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Native Language: Moroccan Arabic
aycaramba is on a distinguished road
Muchas gracias, ahora lo entiendo. I was really confused because of that 3rd person-thing, but know I totally get it and it's indeed quite logical. Muy estúpido de mi parte...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old February 27, 2012, 11:09 PM
ducviloxi ducviloxi is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: California, USA
Posts: 93
Native Language: English
ducviloxi is on a distinguished road
I was him (fui yo) + he killed him (lo mató) - the first person in the 1st part is clarifying the 3rd person in the 2nd part

I believe the quien is simply joining the two parts together just like in English.

I was the one who killed him
Fui yo quien lo mató

Last edited by ducviloxi; February 27, 2012 at 11:12 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old February 28, 2012, 06:48 AM
Don José Don José is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: España
Posts: 454
Native Language: Español
Don José is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducviloxi View Post
I believe the quien is simply joining the two parts together just like in English.

I was the one who killed him
Fui yo quien lo mató
Could you also say "it was me who killed him"? Any difference? Less formal or something like that?
__________________
Corrections always very welcome
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old February 28, 2012, 07:07 AM
wrholt's Avatar
wrholt wrholt is offline
Sapphire
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 1,401
Native Language: US English
wrholt is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Don José View Post
Could you also say "it was me who killed him"? Any difference? Less formal or something like that?
Yes, they are basically equivalent, and they are both variations on "I killed him".

Expanding a basic sentence such as "I killed him" to either "I was the one who killed him" or "It was me who killed him" typically happens in a conversation where the facts are relayed over several sentences. The expanded sentences typically present the new, contrasting or emphasized information (I am responsible) and relate it to previously-known information (someone killed him).
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old February 28, 2012, 10:39 AM
Don José Don José is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: España
Posts: 454
Native Language: Español
Don José is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by wrholt View Post
Yes, they are basically equivalent, and they are both variations on "I killed him".

Expanding a basic sentence such as "I killed him" to either "I was the one who killed him" or "It was me who killed him" typically happens in a conversation where the facts are relayed over several sentences. The expanded sentences typically present the new, contrasting or emphasized information (I am responsible) and relate it to previously-known information (someone killed him).
Thanks. In respect to the explanation, it is the same in Spanish.
__________________
Corrections always very welcome
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
conjugation, matar, maté, mató, verb

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Verb Conjugation jmg999 Grammar 5 April 05, 2011 06:35 AM
What verb conjugation to use with 2nd person plural subject laepelba Grammar 3 January 24, 2010 07:45 AM
Matar el hambre ROBINDESBOIS Idioms & Sayings 2 September 02, 2009 09:28 AM
Figure out what your royalties are ROBINDESBOIS Idioms & Sayings 6 July 21, 2009 10:02 AM
I can't quite figure out the 2nd sentence. Satyr Translations 5 November 10, 2008 12:55 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:52 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X