Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| combate | /kõˈba.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /kõˈba.tɨ/ (Portugal) |
| batalha | /baˈta.ʎɐ/ (Brazil) /bɐˈta.ʎɐ/ (Portugal) |
| luta | /ˈlu.tɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈlu.tɐ/ (Portugal) |
| peleja | /peˈle.ʒɐ/ (Brazil) /pɨˈlɐ(j).ʒɐ/ (Portugal) |
| pugna |
In Portuguese, these words are used to describe a fight, battle or struggle. They can describe physical fighting or the act of fighting against abstract concepts, such as fighting a disease or a social issue.
Which one should you use?
The specific word you choose depends on the scale and nature of the conflict. Batalha is typically used for large-scale military engagements or much larger, more organized conflicts than combate. Peleja refers to a fight or combat in a less serious or intense manner.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality changes depending on the term. Pugna is a highly literary or archaic term used in formal writing or legal contexts to describe a struggle or contention. Peleja is a more poetic or old-fashioned way to describe a fight or a skirmish, whereas it is also considered more informal in some contexts because it suggests a less intense encounter.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun combate is derived from the verb combater, which means to fight or to struggle for victory. This verb is used for both physical combat and for fighting against abstract things like obesity or social issues.
How do you pronounce it?
The word combate is pronounced /kõˈba.tʃi/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word batalha shares a common root with the English word 'battle' but actually traces back to a Gaulish word meaning 'to strike' or 'beat'.
- While luta is the standard way to say 'struggle' or 'fight', it is also the most common way to refer to the sport of 'wrestling' in Portuguese.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, peleja is often used colloquially to describe a difficult task or a long, tiring effort that is not a physical fight at all.
Examples in context
- Tom morreu em um combate.Tom died in combat.This sentence uses combate to describe a death during a fight.Tatoeba #1298397 by alexmarcelo, translation #1026251 by CK
- Aquela pessoa vulgar pode voltar a importunar-me e eu não tenho tempo a perder em combate.That vulgar person might accost me again, and I have no time to waste in combat.This sentence uses combate to describe not wasting time in a conflict.Tatoeba #11253811 by Cangarejo, translation #11253810 by Cangarejo
- Para ajudar a combater a obesidade, algumas cidades baniram ingredientes menos saudáveis na comida dos restaurantes.To help combat obesity, some cities have banned unhealthful ingredients in restaurant food.This sentence uses the related verb combater to describe the act of fighting against a social issue like obesity.Tatoeba #11046945 by Cangarejo, translation #11046944 by Cangarejo
- O exército está em combate contra os rebeldes.The army is in combat against the rebels.
- A luta contra a pobreza é uma prioridade nacional.The fight against poverty is a national priority.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two history students are discussing a book in a library.
- LucasO combate foi muito longo.The combat was very long.
- MarianaSim, ele durou o dia todo.Yes, it lasted all day.
- LucasMariana, você leu sobre esse combate?Mariana, did you read about this combat?
- MarianaAinda não, Lucas.Not yet, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “combat” translations and entries combate, batalha, luta, peleja, pugna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries batalha, luta, peleja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
