asesino
/aseˈsino/masculine
The English word slayer is translated into Spanish as asesino.
The term is used to describe one who slays. However, in everyday Spanish, asesino is most commonly used to mean 'murderer'.
Meaning: one who slays (noun)
Which one should you use?
While asesino is a general term, other words are more precise depending on the situation. Use matador specifically when referring to a person who slays a bull in the context of bullfighting. If the sense of slayer refers to someone destroying a large number of things, such as enemies or pests, exterminador is a more precise term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the noun is asesina.
How do you pronounce it?
/aseˈsino/
Did you know?
- The word asesino shares its roots with the English word 'assassin', which traces back to the Arabic ḥaššāšīn, referring to users of hashish.
- In legal Spanish, asesino specifically implies a killing with 'alevosía', which means the killer ensured the victim had no chance to defend themselves.
- While 'slayer' in English can feel poetic or even heroic in literature, calling someone an asesino in Spanish is strictly a heavy, criminal accusation.
Examples in context
- Ella es la matadora de monstruos más valiente.She is the bravest slayer of monsters.
- Él es un cazador de vampiros experimentado.He is an experienced vampire slayer.
- El asesino huyó de la escena.The slayer fled from the scene.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a true crime documentary.
- AlejandroEse asesino era muy inteligente.That slayer was very intelligent.
- LucíaSí, pero fue muy descuidado.Yes, but he was very careless.
- AlejandroLa policía lo atrapó rápido.The police caught him quickly.
- LucíaQué suerte que lo encontraron.How lucky that they found him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slayer” translations and entries asesino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asesino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
