guerrilla
“guerrilla” means “guerrilla group” in Spanish (an organized group of irregular fighters).
guerrilla group
Also: resistance movement, guerrilla warfare
📝 In Action
La guerrilla se escondía en la selva.
A2The guerrilla group was hiding in the jungle.
Muchos historiadores estudian las tácticas de la guerrilla.
B1Many historians study the guerrilla's tactics.
El gobierno firmó un tratado con la guerrilla para terminar el conflicto.
B2The government signed a treaty with the guerrilla group to end the conflict.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "guerrilla" in Spanish:
guerrilla group→guerrilla warfare→resistance movement→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: guerrilla
Question 1 of 3
What is the correct way to refer to a single male fighter in a guerrilla group?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Formed by the Spanish word 'guerra' (war) plus the ending '-illa,' which usually means something is small. It literally translates to 'little war,' referring to small-scale combat instead of big battles between official armies.
First recorded: Early 19th century, during the Peninsular War against Napoleon.
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'guerrilla' the same as 'gorilla'?
No! In Spanish, 'gorila' is the large ape. 'Guerrilla' (with double R and double L) refers to a group of fighters. They sound similar, but the meanings are completely different.
Why is it called 'little war'?
The term was created when regular Spanish people used surprise attacks and small skirmishes to fight against the massive, organized French army. Since they weren't big, formal battles, they were called 'little wars'.
Can 'guerrilla' be a verb?
No, 'guerrilla' is only a noun. If you want to use a verb related to fighting a war, you would use 'guerrear' or 'luchar'.