Inklingo

How to Say "strike" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “strike” is “ataque” — use 'ataque' for a military or industrial offensive, or a sudden aggressive action against someone or something.

ataque🔊A2

Use 'ataque' for a military or industrial offensive, or a sudden aggressive action against someone or something.

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huelga🔊B1

Use 'huelga' specifically for an organized work stoppage by employees to protest or make demands.

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impacto🔊A2

Use 'impacto' to describe the force or collision when two objects hit each other, or a significant effect.

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paro🔊B1

Use 'paro' to refer to a general work stoppage, often implying a broader cessation of activity than 'huelga', or even unemployment.

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strike🔊B1

Use the English word 'strike' directly when referring to a baseball game, specifically when a batter receives a certain count.

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pleno🔊C1

Use 'pleno' in Spanish to describe the act of knocking down all pins in bowling with a single ball.

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English → Spanish

ataque

ah-TAH-kehaˈtake

nounA2general
Use 'ataque' for a military or industrial offensive, or a sudden aggressive action against someone or something.
A knight charging towards a tall stone castle wall, illustrating a military attack or assault.

Examples

El castillo sobrevivió al ataque.

The castle survived the attack.

El equipo lanzó un ataque rápido y marcó un gol.

The team launched a quick attack and scored a goal.

El médico dijo que fue un ataque al corazón.

The doctor said it was a heart attack.

Is it 'el' or 'la'?

'Ataque' is a masculine noun, even though it ends in 'e'. So, you always use 'el' or 'un' with it, like 'el ataque' (the attack) or 'un ataque' (an attack).

Confusing the Noun and the Verb

Mistake: “Yo ataque el problema.”

Correction: Yo ataco el problema. 'Ataque' is the thing (the noun), while 'atacar' is the action (the verb). Think of 'attack' the noun vs. 'I attack' the verb in English.

huelga

WHEL-gahˈwel.ɡa

nounB1general
Use 'huelga' specifically for an organized work stoppage by employees to protest or make demands.
Three colorful cartoon factory workers standing still outside a closed factory gate, symbolizing a work stoppage.

Examples

Los trabajadores anunciaron una huelga indefinida.

The workers announced an indefinite strike.

La huelga de transporte afectó a toda la ciudad.

The transport strike affected the entire city.

Hacer huelga es un derecho fundamental en muchos países.

To strike (literally: to do a strike) is a fundamental right in many countries.

Gender Check

Since 'huelga' is a feminine noun, always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la huelga', 'una huelga grande').

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Me voy a huelgar. (Incorrect verb choice for striking)”

Correction: Me voy a hacer huelga (or simply: voy a la huelga). Use the phrase 'hacer huelga' (to do a strike) to mean 'to go on strike'.

impacto

eem-PAHK-tohimˈpakto

nounA2general
Use 'impacto' to describe the force or collision when two objects hit each other, or a significant effect.
A bright red rubber ball colliding forcefully with a solid blue wall, captured precisely at the moment of physical contact and deformation, surrounded by a splash of white energy.

Examples

El conductor sobrevivió al impacto frontal, pero el coche quedó destrozado.

The driver survived the frontal impact, but the car was destroyed.

Los científicos analizaron el impacto de la roca contra la superficie.

The scientists analyzed the impact of the rock against the surface.

paro

PAH-rohˈpa.ɾo

nounB1general
Use 'paro' to refer to a general work stoppage, often implying a broader cessation of activity than 'huelga', or even unemployment.
A lonely figure in professional clothing sitting on a simple wooden bench, looking sad and holding an empty briefcase, symbolizing unemployment.

Examples

El paro juvenil es un gran problema social en el país.

Youth unemployment is a major social problem in the country.

Después de tres meses en el paro, encontró un nuevo trabajo.

After three months of being unemployed (on the dole), he found a new job.

Los sindicatos han convocado un paro general.

The unions have called for a general strike.

Using 'Estar en el paro'

To say someone is unemployed, use the phrase 'estar en el paro' (literally: to be in the unemployment). This is extremely common in Spain.

Confusing 'Paro' and 'Huelga'

Mistake: “Using 'paro' only for a large, formal labor strike.”

Correction: 'Huelga' is the more specific term for a formal strike. 'Paro' can mean a general stoppage or simply unemployment.

strike

es-tra-ikesˈtɾajk

nounB1sports
Use the English word 'strike' directly when referring to a baseball game, specifically when a batter receives a certain count.
A baseball bat swinging through the air and missing a ball that is caught by a catcher's glove.

Examples

El bateador ya tiene dos strikes en su cuenta.

The batter already has two strikes against him.

El árbitro cantó el tercer strike y terminó la entrada.

The umpire called the third strike and the inning ended.

Fue un strike perfecto justo por el centro.

It was a perfect strike right down the middle.

¡Hice un strike en el último turno!

I got a strike on the last turn!

Using 'el' with strike

Since this word is borrowed from English, it is used with the masculine article 'el' (el strike).

Plural form

To talk about more than one, simply add an 's' to the end: 'los strikes'.

Action verbs

Use the verb 'hacer' (to do/make) or 'lograr' (to achieve) when you want to say you got a strike.

Gender consistency

Like the baseball meaning, this is always masculine (el strike).

Strike vs. Huelga

Mistake: “Using 'strike' to mean a labor protest.”

Correction: Use 'huelga' for labor protests. In Spanish, 'strike' is ONLY used for sports.

Avoid 'tirar'

Mistake: “Saying 'tirar un strike'.”

Correction: Say 'hacer un strike'. 'Tirar' sounds like you are throwing the strike itself rather than achieving it.

strike

es-tra-ikesˈtɾajk

nounB2sports
Use the English word 'strike' directly in bowling when all pins are knocked down simultaneously.
A baseball bat swinging through the air and missing a ball that is caught by a catcher's glove.

Examples

¡Hice un strike en el último turno!

I got a strike on the last turn!

El bateador ya tiene dos strikes en su cuenta.

The batter already has two strikes against him.

El árbitro cantó el tercer strike y terminó la entrada.

The umpire called the third strike and the inning ended.

Fue un strike perfecto justo por el centro.

It was a perfect strike right down the middle.

Using 'el' with strike

Since this word is borrowed from English, it is used with the masculine article 'el' (el strike).

Plural form

To talk about more than one, simply add an 's' to the end: 'los strikes'.

Action verbs

Use the verb 'hacer' (to do/make) or 'lograr' (to achieve) when you want to say you got a strike.

Gender consistency

Like the baseball meaning, this is always masculine (el strike).

Strike vs. Huelga

Mistake: “Using 'strike' to mean a labor protest.”

Correction: Use 'huelga' for labor protests. In Spanish, 'strike' is ONLY used for sports.

Avoid 'tirar'

Mistake: “Saying 'tirar un strike'.”

Correction: Say 'hacer un strike'. 'Tirar' sounds like you are throwing the strike itself rather than achieving it.

pleno

PLEH-nohˈpleno

nounC1sports
Use 'pleno' in Spanish to describe the act of knocking down all pins in bowling with a single ball.
A bowling ball hitting the center pin and knocking down every single white pin.

Examples

Hizo un pleno en los bolos.

He got a strike in bowling.

¡Pleno! Acerté todas las preguntas del examen.

Perfect! I got every question on the exam right.

Huelga vs. Paro

Learners often confuse 'huelga' and 'paro' for work stoppages. While both mean a strike, 'huelga' is typically used for organized labor actions, whereas 'paro' can be more general or even refer to unemployment itself.

Related Translations

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