batalla
/bah-TAH-yah/
battle
A depiction of a military engagement, or a batalla (battle).
📝 In Action
La batalla duró tres días y fue muy sangrienta.
A2The battle lasted three days and was very bloody.
Estudiamos las batallas más importantes de la historia.
B1We are studying the most important battles in history.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule
Remember that 'batalla' is a feminine word, so you must use the feminine articles: 'la batalla' or 'una batalla'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'batalla' for large, significant, historical fights. For smaller, personal fights or arguments, use words like 'pelea' or 'discusión'.
Visualizing the concept of an ongoing effort or batalla (struggle).
batalla(noun)
struggle
?an ongoing challenge or effort
,fight
?a personal challenge against an obstacle
ordeal
?difficult experience
📝 In Action
Su recuperación fue una larga batalla contra la enfermedad.
B1His recovery was a long struggle against the illness.
Cada día es una batalla para conseguir terminar el proyecto.
B2Every day is a fight to manage to finish the project.
💡 Grammar Points
Preposition Use
When talking about what you are fighting against, use the preposition 'contra': 'la batalla contra la pobreza' (the struggle against poverty).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'pelea' for Abstract Fights
Mistake: "Usar 'una pelea contra el cáncer'"
Correction: Use 'una batalla contra el cáncer'. 'Pelea' is usually for physical or verbal arguments between people.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: batalla
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'batalla' in its figurative sense (a struggle)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'batalla' only used for major wars?
No. While 'batalla' often describes major military clashes, it is very commonly used metaphorically to describe any significant, long, or difficult effort, like fighting an illness or completing a major project.
What is the difference between 'batalla' and 'lucha'?
'Batalla' usually implies a large, organized fight, whether military or figurative. 'Lucha' is often more personal and focuses on the act of struggling or wrestling. In figurative senses (like social justice), they are nearly interchangeable.