¿quién es el asesino?
The phrase "who is the murderer?" in Spanish is ¿quién es el asesino?
This phrase is a question used to ask for the identity of the person who killed someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quién (who), es (is), el (the) and asesino (murderer/killer).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender and number of the subject. If the murderer is known to be female, change the masculine el asesino to the feminine la asesina to get ¿quién es la asesina? To ask about multiple murderers, the singular quién es el changes to the plural quiénes son los as in ¿quiénes son los asesinos?
Did you know?
- The word asesino has a surprising connection to drug use. It is believed to have originated from the Arabic word for 'hashish users', referring to a historical sect of killers.
- In Spanish crime fiction and news, the word asesino is strictly used for intentional killing, whereas homicida is used as a more technical legal term for someone who kills another human.
Examples in context
- ¿Puede decirme la identidad del homicida?Can you tell me the identity of the murderer?
- Todos preguntan ¿quién es el asesino?Everyone is asking, who is the murderer?
- En el libro, ¿quién es el asesino?In the book, who is the murderer?
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing a crime novel.
- SofíaMe gusta este misterio, pero ¿quién es el asesino?I like this mystery, but who is the murderer?
- JavierNo lo sé todavía, Sofía.I don't know yet, Sofia.
- Sofía¿Crees que es el mayordomo?Do you think it is the butler?
- JavierEs posible, pero el final es sorprendente.It is possible, but the ending is surprising.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asesino, el, es, quién, CC BY-SA 4.0.
