meterse en una pelea
/meteɾse en una pelea/from spelling rules
To get into a fight in Spanish is meterse en una pelea.
The phrase meterse en una pelea is used when someone becomes involved in a conflict, which can refer to either a physical brawl or a verbal argument.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb meter (to put or insert), the reflexive pronoun se (oneself) and en una pelea (into a fight).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone 'got into a fight' in the past tense, you use the preterite form se metió en una pelea.
How do you pronounce it?
/meteɾse en una pelea/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the reflexive verb liarse is used to describe getting into a fight, but it can also be used to mean getting romantically involved or getting confused.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a purely verbal fight is described using the phrase tirarse los trastos, which literally means 'to throw the dishes' or 'to throw things' at one another.
- While the English word 'discuss' is a neutral way to talk about a topic, the Spanish equivalent discutir often implies that the people involved are having a heated argument or a fight.
Examples in context
- Tuve una pelea en la escuelaI got into a fight at school
- Los países vecinos entraron en un conflictoThe neighboring countries got into a conflict
- Anoche se armó un lío en el barThere was a fight in the bar last night
- Mi hermano se metió en una bronca con un desconocidoMy brother got into a brawl with a stranger
- Los jugadores se pusieron a pelear después del partidoThe players started fighting after the match
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking about a mutual friend at a cafe.
- AlejandroJuan se metió en una pelea en el bar.Juan got into a fight at the bar.
- Sofía¡No puede ser! ¿Está bien?No way! Is he okay?
- AlejandroSí, pero no debería meterse en una pelea así.Yes, but he shouldn't get into a fight like that.
- SofíaTienes razón, es muy impulsivo.You're right, he is very impulsive.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
