Spanish Phrase
Matar a un ruiseñor es genial.
Meaning
Literally, the sentence says that killing a nightingale is great. Because the nightingale is a beloved songbird in Spanish culture, the phrase is usually used sarcastically or to comment on a controversial, seemingly positive appraisal of a harmful act.
When to use
Use this sentence in a tongue‑in‑cheek or ironic context, for example when critiquing a policy that praises something destructive, or when you want to highlight the absurdity of praising a negative action.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Mataraunruiseñoresgenial
Infinitive as Subject
The infinitive verb 'Matar' functions as a noun and can be the subject of the sentence.
Personal 'a'
When the direct object refers to a specific person or animal, Spanish uses the preposition 'a' before it.
Indefinite Article
'un' introduces a non‑specific nightingale.
Copular Verb 'es'
'es' links the subject (the act of killing) with its description.
Adjective 'genial'
'genial' means 'great' or 'awesome' and agrees in gender and number with the subject.
🗨In Conversation
¿Viste que el gobierno aprobó la caza del ruiseñor?
Did you see that the government approved the hunting of nightingales?
Matar a un ruiseñor es genial.
Killing a nightingale is great.
✕Common Mistakes
Matar un ruiseñor es genial.
Missing the personal 'a' before a specific animal; the correct form is 'Matar a un ruiseñor...'.
Matar a un ruiseñor genial.
The adjective must be linked with the copular verb 'es' (or 'está').
Matar a una ruiseñor es genial.
The noun 'ruiseñor' is masculine, so the article must be 'un', not 'una'.
↔Alternatives
Matar a un ruiseñor es estupendo.
Killing a nightingale is wonderful.
Matar a un ruiseñor está genial.
Killing a nightingale is awesome.
Matar a un ruiseñor es maravilloso.
Killing a nightingale is marvelous.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking cultures the ruiseñor (nightingale) is a symbol of poetry and sweet music. Because of that, talking about killing one is usually taken as a negative or sarcastic statement. If you use the phrase seriously, you may sound insensitive or even offensive. It works best as a satirical comment, much like the English phrase “It’s great to kill a mockingbird” used to mock a misguided celebration of a harmful act.