pelea
/peh-LEH-ah/
fight
Pelea (Noun) means 'fight' or confrontation.
pelea(Noun)
fight
?physical or verbal confrontation
argument
?a verbal disagreement
,quarrel
?an angry dispute
,struggle
?a difficult effort or contest
📝 In Action
Los niños tuvieron una pelea por el juguete.
A2The children had a fight over the toy.
Después de la pelea, no se hablaron por una semana.
B1After the argument, they didn't speak to each other for a week.
La vida es una pelea constante por nuestros sueños.
B2Life is a constant struggle for our dreams.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Tener una pelea'
To talk about a specific argument or fight that happened, you'll often use the phrase 'tener una pelea', which literally means 'to have a fight'. For example, 'Ayer tuve una pelea con mi jefe' (Yesterday I had an argument with my boss).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Fight vs. Struggle
Mistake: "Thinking 'pelea' only means a physical fight with fists."
Correction: 'Pelea' is very flexible. It can be a verbal argument ('una pelea de pareja' - a couple's quarrel) or a metaphorical struggle ('la pelea contra la injusticia' - the fight against injustice).
⭐ Usage Tips
From Arguments to Boxing
You can use 'pelea' for almost any kind of conflict. It works for a small disagreement with a friend, a heated political debate, or even a professional boxing match ('la pelea de anoche' - last night's fight).
When used as a verb, 'pelea' means 'he/she fights.'
pelea(Verb)
he/she fights
?present tense, third-person singular (él/ella)
you fight
?present tense, formal singular (usted)
,fight!
?command form, informal singular (tú)
📝 In Action
Él pelea por lo que cree que es justo.
B1He fights for what he believes is fair.
Señor, ¿por qué pelea tanto con su vecino?
A2Sir, why do you argue so much with your neighbor?
¡Pelea por tus sueños, no te rindas!
B1Fight for your dreams, don't give up!
💡 Grammar Points
Three Meanings in One
The word 'pelea' can be three different things from the verb 'pelear': 'he/she fights' (él/ella pelea), 'you fight' in a formal way (usted pelea), or a command 'Fight!' (tú pelea). The context tells you which one it is.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Arguing 'with' someone
Mistake: "Pelear con mi amigo."
Correction: This is correct! Unlike some English verbs, 'pelear' uses 'con' (with) to say who you are fighting or arguing with. For example, 'Ella pelea con su hermano' (She argues with her brother).
⭐ Usage Tips
Fighting 'for' something
To say what someone is fighting for, use the word 'por'. For example, 'Él pelea por la justicia' (He fights for justice) or 'Peleamos por un futuro mejor' (We fight for a better future).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pelea
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'pelea' to mean a metaphorical struggle, not a physical or verbal fight?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'pelea' and 'lucha'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable! 'Pelea' is more common for arguments and sudden fights between people. 'Lucha' often implies a longer, more sustained effort or struggle, like 'la lucha por la independencia' (the struggle for independence) or 'lucha libre' (wrestling). But you can also use 'pelea' for long struggles, so context is key.
Is 'pelea' a rude word?
Not at all. It's a neutral word to describe a conflict. Of course, talking about fighting can be part of a rude conversation, but the word 'pelea' itself is perfectly normal and used in all situations, from casual chats to news reports.