mortal
/moɾtal/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for deadly is mortal.
mortal is used as an adjective to describe something that is lethal or capable of causing death.
Meaning: lethal (adj)
Which one should you use?
While mortal means deadly or lethal, it is also used to describe a human being as a 'mortal' (subject to death), just as in English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term mortífero can be used to describe something deadly.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective mortal is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. The plural form of mortal is mortales.
How do you pronounce it?
/moɾtal/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using muerto when you mean 'deadly' or 'lethal'. While mortal describes something that causes death, muerto describes the state of being dead.
Did you know?
- While mortal describes something lethal, the phrase mortal de risa is used to describe something so funny it is 'deadly'.
- Spanish uses mortal to describe a 'deadly' fight (pelea mortal) but uses fatal to describe a 'deadly' accident (accidente fatal), though both result in death.
- The word mortal is used in the expression pecado mortal to describe a 'mortal sin', which in Catholic theology is a transgression that cuts off the soul's relationship with God.
Examples in context
- Los rinocerontes pueden ser una amenaza mortal.Rhinos can be a deadly threat.This sentence shows how to describe a threat as being mortal.Tatoeba #10067582 by manufrutos, translation #8277173 by Amastan
- En mi vida siguiente quiero nacer como un virus mortal.In my next life I want to be born as a deadly virus.This sentence uses mortal to describe a virus.Tatoeba #2368108 by marcelostockle, translation #2323534 by corvard
- ¡Es un veneno mortal!It's a deadly poison!This sentence uses mortal to describe a poison.Tatoeba #1934683 by marinoli, translation #1929046 by Scott
- El accidente fue mortalThe accident was deadly
- El veneno es fatalThe poison is deadly
- El ataque fue de consecuencias letalesThe attack was of deadly consequences
- Ese mosquito es matadorThat mosquito is deadly
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are hiking in a dangerous forest.
- MateoEsa serpiente es un peligro mortal.That snake is a deadly danger.
- MaríaNo te acerques a ella, Mateo.Don't go near it, Mateo.
- MateoTengo mucho miedo de su mordida mortal.I am very afraid of its deadly bite.
- MaríaMantente lejos de todo animal así.Stay away from any animal like that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
