me quiero matar
/me kjeɾo mataɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I wanna kms" can be translated into Spanish as me quiero matar.
Me quiero matar is an informal expression used to say that one wants to kill themselves. Much like the English acronym "kms", this phrase is frequently used hyperbolically in digital slang to express extreme frustration, embarrassment or exhaustion.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive pronoun me (myself), the verb quiero (I want) and matar (to kill).
Which one should you use?
You can also say quiero matarme, which carries the same meaning.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Me quiero matar is highly informal and should be avoided in serious or professional contexts unless discussing actual self-harm.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because matar is a reflexive action in this context, the reflexive pronoun me must be used. This pronoun can appear before the conjugated verb as in me quiero matar or can be attached to the end of the infinitive verb, resulting in quiero matarme.
How do you pronounce it?
/me kjeɾo mataɾ/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Amigo, estoy desesperado. Me quiero matar. Necesito apoyo y que alguien me escuche.My friend, I'm desperate. I wanna kill myself. I need support and someone to listen to me.
- Me quiero matar con este examen.I wanna kms with this exam.
- Tengo tanto trabajo que me quiero matar.I have so much work that I wanna kms.
- ¡Me quiero matar de la vergüenza!I wanna kms from embarrassment!
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about a difficult exam.
- LucíaReprobé el examen, me quiero matar.I failed the exam, I want to kill myself.
- JavierNo digas eso, Lucía, puedes recuperarlo.Don't say that, Lucía, you can make it up.
- LucíaEs que estaba muy difícil.It's just that it was very difficult.
- JavierYo también sufrí, pero pasé.I suffered too, but I passed.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries matar, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
