Spanish Conversation · Level 22
90 words
Spanish word
batalla
Pronunciation
IPA/baˈtaʝa/
Meaning
- feminine nounbattle
Example
La batalla fue dura, pero ganamos.
The battle was tough, but we won.
More examples
En la asamblea, los trabajadores dieron batalla por mejores salarios.
At the assembly, the workers put up a fight for better wages.
Core concept
An intense struggle to change a situation, whether physical combat or a metaphorical fight.
Common phrases
ganar la batalla
win the battle
perder la batalla
lose the battle
dar batalla
put up a fight
Similar words
lucha: Purposeful struggle to achieve an objective, often sustained effort over time.
pelea: Personal fight or quarrel between individuals, often brief and physical or verbal.
combate: Direct fight using weapons or tactics, typically involving armed or trained opponents.
enfrentamiento: Face-to-face confrontation between two parties, a direct clash or standoff.
Definition in Spanish
Lucha intensa entre partes enfrentadas, física o simbólicamente, que implica esfuerzo para cambiar una situación.
Word origin
From the Latin root battuere 'to beat', the word passes through battalia in Late Latin and Old French bataille before arriving in Spanish as batalla meaning a sustained effort or struggle.
Usage tips
- Spanish speakers normally reserve batalla for serious or large-scale struggles, so everyday quarrels take pelea or discusión while phrases like perder la batalla feel natural for setbacks.