Inklingo

How to Say "fights" in Spanish

English → Spanish

peleas

peh-LEH-ahs/peˈle.as/

nounA1general
Use 'peleas' for arguments, quarrels, or physical altercations between people, animals, or groups.
Two simplified cartoon children standing close together, yelling intensely at each other with angry facial expressions, illustrating a verbal fight.

Examples

Las peleas entre vecinos son muy molestas.

Fights between neighbors are very annoying.

Tuvimos varias peleas por el control remoto.

We had several arguments over the remote control.

Las peleas políticas dominaron el debate.

The political battles dominated the debate.

Plural Form

This word is the plural form of 'pelea' (a fight/quarrel). Since 'pelea' ends in a vowel, you just add an 's' to make it plural.

batallas

/ba-TA-yas//baˈtaʝas/

nounA2general
Use 'batallas' when referring to large-scale conflicts, wars, or significant struggles, often in a historical or metaphorical sense.
Two groups of toy soldiers in colorful uniforms facing each other on a green field.

Examples

Aprendimos sobre las grandes batallas de la historia.

We learned about the great battles of history.

Todos tenemos nuestras propias batallas internas.

We all have our own internal struggles.

Making it plural

This is the 'more than one' form of 'batalla.' To make it plural in Spanish, we just add an 's' because it ends in a vowel.

Gender matching

Mistake: “los batallas”

Correction: las batallas

combate

/kom-BAH-teh//komˈbate/

verbB1general
Use 'combate' as a verb when describing the action of fighting against something, like an illness, an idea, or a force.
A single figure wearing red boxing gloves actively throwing a strong punch into the air.

Examples

Mi cuerpo combate la infección rápidamente.

My body fights the infection quickly.

El presidente combate la corrupción con nuevas leyes.

The president combats corruption with new laws.

¡Combate el fuego con agua!

Fight the fire with water! (Formal command)

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!).

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.

libra

/lee-brah//ˈli.βɾa/

verbB1general
Use 'se libra' (reflexive) specifically when someone is escaping or getting out of a difficult situation or conflict, often implying a narrow escape.
A small bird flying out of an open golden cage.

Examples

Él se libra de la multa por un error del policía.

He gets out of the fine because of a police error.

El ejército libra una batalla difícil.

The army fights a difficult battle.

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

Learners often confuse the nouns 'peleas' and 'batallas' with the verb 'combate'. Remember that 'peleas' and 'batallas' refer to the conflict itself, while 'combate' is the action of fighting.

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