tiempo que matar
/tjempo ke mataɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'time to kill' can be translated into Spanish as tiempo que matar.
The concept of having extra time available while waiting for something else to happen is expressed idiomatically in Spanish using the phrase matar el tiempo. In this expression, the verb matar (to kill) is paired with el tiempo (the time) to convey the same meaning as the English idiom.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use a literal translation like tiempo que matar instead of more natural Spanish idioms. The idiomatic way to express 'to kill time' in Spanish is matar el tiempo.
Did you know?
- One possible origin for the verb matar is the Arabic word māta, meaning 'to die'. This is likely the same source used for the second half of the English term 'checkmate'.
- While matar el tiempo is the common way to say 'kill time', Spanish also uses the word tiempo to mean 'weather'. A speaker might describe a rainy day as mal tiempo, which literally translates to 'bad time'.
- In some contexts, Spanish speakers use the phrase pasar el rato to mean 'spending time' or 'killing time', which focuses on the passage of the moment rather than the 'death' of the time.
Examples in context
- No tenemos planes específicos para hoy, así que vamos a buscar algo divertido para matar el tiempo.We don't have specific plans for today, so let's find something fun to kill time.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are waiting for a movie to start.
- SofíaLa película empieza en una hora.The movie starts in one hour.
- AlejandroEntonces tenemos tiempo que matar.Then we have time to kill.
- Sofía¿Quieres caminar por el centro comercial?Do you want to walk through the mall?
- AlejandroSí, me parece una buena idea.Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries matar, que, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
