defensa personal
/defensa peɾsonal/from spelling rules
In Spanish, self defense is defensa personal.
Defensa personal is the standard term used when referring to martial arts or physical training intended for self-protection. Related terms you might encounter in this context include golpe for a punch and patada for a kick.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase defensa personal is composed of defensa (defense) and personal (personal).
Which one should you use?
While defensa personal refers to the skill or practice of self-defense, the term legítima defensa is used specifically in a legal context to describe the act of defending oneself in a court of law.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may encounter the term autoprotección.
How do you pronounce it?
/defensa peɾsonal/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, defenderse is used colloquially to mean that someone is reasonably good at a skill, such as saying they can defend themselves in English.
- The root of personal comes from the Latin word persōna, which originally referred to the masks worn by actors in Greek and Roman theater.
- Spanish uses defensa to describe both the act of protecting oneself and the defensive line of a sports team, such as in football.
Examples in context
- Deberías aprender defensa personal.You should learn self-defense.Tatoeba #2492094 by marcelostockle, translation #2060309 by CK
- Es importante aprender técnicas de autodefensa para garantizar nuestra seguridad personal.It is important to learn self-defense techniques to ensure our personal safety.
- En nuestra organización, ofrecemos cursos de defensa personal para ayudar a las personas a sentirse más seguras.In our organization, we offer personal defense courses to help individuals feel safer.
- La defensa personal es muy útil.Self defense is very useful.
- Ella toma clases de defensa personal.She takes self defense classes.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking about their hobbies at the gym.
- Lucía¿Te gusta la defensa personal?Do you like self defense?
- DanielSí, es un gran ejercicio.Yes, it is a great exercise.
- LucíaYo quiero aprender defensa personal pronto.I want to learn self defense soon.
- DanielTe puedo ayudar con eso.I can help you with that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries defensa, personal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
