sacrificar
/sakɾifiˈkaɾ/
To euthanize in Spanish is sacrificar.
The verb is used to describe the act of submitting a person or an animal to euthanasia. While sacrificar is more common in everyday speech regarding pets, there are several ways to express this depending on the context.
Meaning: submit (a person or an animal) to euthanasia (verb)
Which one should you use?
In everyday speech regarding pets, sacrificar is more common. For more technical, medical or legal contexts, you might use the formal verb eutanasiar or the phrase practicar la eutanasia. In informal settings, people may use the euphemism dormir or the phrase dormir al animalito when referring to an animal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Eutanasiar and the phrase practicar la eutanasia are formal terms suited for medical, ethical or legal discussions. If you want to be indirect or soft-spoken about an animal, you can use the informal euphemism dormir or dormir al animalito.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle sacrificado can be used as an adjective to describe an animal that has been euthanized.
How do you pronounce it?
/sakɾifiˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb sacrificar shares a common root with the English word 'sacred', stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'holy' or 'consecrated'.
- In Spanish, the word sacrificar can also mean 'to give up' or 'to renounce' something for the sake of another.
- Using sacrificar for a human being is rare and often considered taboo or incorrect, as eutanasiar is strictly preferred for people.
Examples in context
- El veterinario recomendó eutanasiar al gato debido a su enfermedad terminal.The veterinarian recommended euthanizing the cat due to its terminal illness.
- La ética veterinaria dicta que debemos practicar la eutanasia de manera humanitaria.Veterinary ethics dictate that we should practice euthanasia in a humane manner.
- Mi perro estaba sufriendo mucho, así que decidí dormirlo para liberarlo del dolor.My dog was suffering a lot, so I decided to put him to sleep to free him from pain.
- Lamentablemente, tuvimos que sacrificar a nuestro caballo debido a una lesión irrecuperable.Unfortunately, we had to euthanize our horse due to an irrecoverable injury.
- Él sacrificará al gato mañana.He will euthanize the cat tomorrow.
- Ella decidió dormir a su conejo viejito.She decided to put her old rabbit to sleep.
- Tuvieron que sacrificar al perro.They had to euthanize the dog.
- El veterinario recomienda sacrificar al gato.The veterinarian recommends euthanizing the cat.
- Fue muy difícil sacrificar a su mascota.It was very difficult to euthanize her pet.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are talking about a sick pet at a veterinary clinic.
- Javier¿Es necesario sacrificar al cachorro?Is it necessary to euthanize the puppy?
- MaríaLo siento, Javier, pero no tiene cura.I'm sorry, Javier, but there is no cure.
- JavierEntiendo, tenemos que sacrificarlo hoy.I understand, we have to euthanize him today.
- MaríaEs lo mejor para que no sufra.It is best so that he doesn't suffer.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sacrificar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sacrificar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
