guerra
/ˈɡɛ.ʁɐ/feminine
The English word "war" is guerra in Portuguese.
guerra refers to a conflict involving the organized use of arms. While guerra describes war, the term conflito can also be used to describe a conflict involving more than two countries. To express the action of going to war, you can use the phrase entrar em guerra and the verb combater means to combat.
Meaning: conflict involving organized use of arms (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
guerra is a feminine noun, which means it must be used with feminine articles such as a or uma. The related verb guerrear means to engage in conflict.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈɡɛ.ʁɐ/', 'syllables': 2, 'stressed_syllable': '1 of 2'}
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word guerra is a linguistic cousin to the word varrer, which means 'to sweep'.
- In Portuguese, the phrase fazer guerra is often used idiomatically to describe a stubborn or intense rivalry between two people, even if no weapons are involved.
- In Brazil, the term guerra is sometimes used colloquially to describe a chaotic or noisy environment, such as a very loud household.
Examples in context
- A guerra é má.War is evil.This sentence illustrates the use of guerra to express a moral judgment.Tatoeba #1992370 by alexmarcelo, translation #1992143 by Spamster
- Isto é uma guerra.This is a war.This sentence shows how to identify a situation as guerra.Tatoeba #5093604 by ToinhoAlam, translation #3873162 by Amastan
- Sou contra a guerra.I'm against the war.This sentence demonstrates how to express opposition to guerra.Tatoeba #1308214 by alexmarcelo, translation #762691 by CM
- Os historiadores estudam os diferentes aspectos da guerra.Historians study various aspects of war.
- A guerra é uma ameaça à paz global.War is a threat to global peace.
- Os soldados lutam bravamente pela sua pátria durante a guerra.Soldiers fight bravely for their homeland during war.
- A Guerra Civil AmericanaThe American Civil War
- 400 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Lucas are discussing a history book.
- JulianaEste livro fala sobre a Segunda Guerra Mundial.This book talks about the Second World War.
- LucasEu não gosto de ler sobre guerra.I don't like reading about war.
- JulianaMas é importante entender a história.But it is important to understand history.
- LucasEu concordo, mas é muito triste.I agree, but it is very sad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “war” translations and entries guerra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guerra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
