combate
/kom-BAH-teh/
fight
A physical confrontation or struggle is referred to by the noun combate (fight).
combate(noun)
fight
?physical confrontation or struggle
,battle
?large-scale military engagement
struggle
?a difficult effort against something abstract
,bout
?sports context, e.g., boxing
📝 In Action
El combate de boxeo terminó en el segundo asalto.
A2The boxing match ended in the second round.
La organización lidera el combate contra la pobreza infantil.
B1The organization leads the struggle against child poverty.
Hubo un breve combate entre las tropas enemigas.
B2There was a brief battle between the enemy troops.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though it ends in '-e', 'combate' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
'Combate' often sounds more serious or formal than 'pelea' (fight), which is usually used for minor conflicts or arguments.
This image shows the action of fighting, representing the present tense verb form combate (He/She/It fights).
combate(verb)
fights
?He/She/It fights (present tense)
,combats
?He/She/It combats (present tense)
struggles
?He/She/It struggles against something
📝 In Action
Mi cuerpo combate la infección rápidamente.
A2My body fights the infection quickly.
El presidente combate la corrupción con nuevas leyes.
B1The president combats corruption with new laws.
¡Combate el fuego con agua!
B1Fight the fire with water! (Formal command)
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Combate' Form
The word 'combate' is the form used for 'he/she/it' and 'you (formal)' in the present tense, as in 'él combate' or 'usted combate'. It is also the informal command form for 'tú' (¡Combate!).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong preposition
Mistake: "Combatir por la enfermedad (To fight for the illness)"
Correction: Combatir contra la enfermedad (To fight against the illness). Always use 'contra' when fighting an adversary or problem.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: combate
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'combate' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'combate' and 'batalla'?
'Combate' (fight) can refer to a small, specific confrontation (like a boxing match or a struggle against an idea), or the act of fighting itself. 'Batalla' (battle) is usually reserved for larger, often military, conflicts.
How do I know if 'combate' is a noun or a verb in a sentence?
If it has an article like 'el' or 'un' in front of it ('El combate'), it is the noun (the fight). If it follows a subject like 'él,' 'ella,' or 'usted' ('Él combate'), it is the verb (he/she/it fights).