Inklingo

How to Say "battle" in Spanish

English → Spanish

batalla

/bah-TAH-yah//baˈtaʝa/

nounA2general
Use 'batalla' for a direct military engagement or a fierce physical fight.
A storybook illustration showing two stylized knight figures, one blue and one red, fighting with swords on a simple green field, representing a military conflict.

Examples

La batalla duró tres días y fue muy sangrienta.

The battle lasted three days and was very bloody.

Estudiamos las batallas más importantes de la historia.

We are studying the most important battles in history.

Gender Rule

Remember that 'batalla' is a feminine word, so you must use the feminine articles: 'la batalla' or 'una batalla'.

lucha

/LOO-cha//ˈlut͡ʃa/

nounB1general
Choose 'lucha' when referring to a struggle, conflict, or fight in a metaphorical or abstract sense, such as a fight against injustice or a personal challenge.
A small, determined figure exerting great effort to push a very large, heavy boulder up a slight incline, symbolizing struggle.

Examples

La lucha contra la pobreza es global.

The struggle against poverty is global.

Superar la enfermedad fue una lucha constante.

Overcoming the illness was a constant battle.

Connecting the Fight

Use the preposition contra (against) or por (for) immediately after lucha to explain the purpose of the struggle: lucha contra el mal, lucha por la justicia.

Using 'Para' Instead of 'Por'

Mistake: “La lucha para la libertad.”

Correction: La lucha *por* la libertad. (When the fight benefits a cause or goal, use *por*.)

combate

/kom-BAH-teh//komˈbate/

nounB1formal
Use 'combate' for a more formal or specific term for combat, often in a military context, or for organized competitive fights like boxing.
Two simple, stylized cartoon figures grappling or wrestling, depicting a physical confrontation.

Examples

El combate de boxeo terminó en el segundo asalto.

The boxing match ended in the second round.

La organización lidera el combate contra la pobreza infantil.

The organization leads the struggle against child poverty.

Hubo un breve combate entre las tropas enemigas.

There was a brief battle between the enemy troops.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-e', 'combate' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Literal vs. Metaphorical Use

The most common mistake is using 'batalla' or 'combate' for abstract struggles. Remember that 'lucha' is the go-to word for metaphorical conflicts like 'the fight for equality' or 'the struggle against illness'.

Related Translations

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