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A2 verb #2,000 más común 14 min de lectura

combater

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos combater en 30 segundos

Explicación combater in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are just beginning to build their Portuguese vocabulary. The word 'combater' might seem a bit advanced, but it is highly recognizable because it looks and sounds very similar to the English word 'combat'. At this stage, you should focus on recognizing the word when you see it in simple news headlines or public signs. You might see posters saying 'Combater a dengue' (Fight dengue fever) or 'Combater o crime' (Fight crime). You do not need to worry about complex conjugations yet. Just knowing that 'combater' means 'to fight against something bad' is enough. If you want to use it, stick to the infinitive form with simple verbs you already know, like 'querer' (to want) or 'precisar' (to need). For example, 'Eu quero combater o problema' (I want to combat the problem) or 'Nós precisamos combater o fogo' (We need to fight the fire). Remember that it is a regular '-er' verb, so if you have learned how to conjugate 'comer' (to eat) or 'beber' (to drink), you already know the basic pattern for 'combater'. Practice saying it slowly: com-ba-TER. Focus on the direct translation and its association with stopping negative things.

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At the A2 level, you are expected to start using 'combater' in your own sentences to describe everyday situations, social issues, and health. You should be comfortable conjugating it in the present tense (eu combato, você combate, nós combatemos, eles combatem) and the simple past tense (eu combati, você combateu, nós combatemos, eles combateram). A crucial grammar point to master at this level is that 'combater' does not take the preposition 'contra' (against). English speakers often make the mistake of saying 'combater contra', but in Portuguese, you connect the verb directly to the noun. You say 'combater a doença' (combat the disease), not 'combater contra a doença'. You will frequently hear this word in the context of health, such as taking medicine to 'combater a dor de cabeça' (combat the headache) or 'combater o vírus' (combat the virus). You can also use it to talk about social rules, like 'A polícia combate o crime' (The police combat crime). Start paying attention to the nouns that usually follow this verb. Building a list of these common pairs (collocations) will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and fluent.

As a B1 learner, your ability to discuss abstract concepts and current events is growing, and 'combater' becomes an essential tool in your vocabulary arsenal. You should now be able to use it confidently across various tenses, including the future (eu combaterei / eu vou combater) and the imperfect past (eu combatia). At this intermediate stage, you will encounter the word frequently in news articles, opinion pieces, and political discussions. You should be able to express opinions on how society should 'combater a desigualdade' (combat inequality), 'combater a poluição' (combat pollution), or 'combater o desemprego' (combat unemployment). Furthermore, you should start recognizing and using the noun form, 'o combate' (the combat/fight), as in 'o combate à pobreza' (the fight against poverty). Notice the use of the crasis (à) here, which is a combination of the preposition 'a' and the feminine article 'a'. You should also be able to distinguish 'combater' from its synonyms like 'lutar' (to fight) and 'enfrentar' (to face). Remember that 'lutar' often requires prepositions (lutar por, lutar contra), while 'combater' is direct. This distinction is key to achieving B1 proficiency.

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At the B2 level, your use of 'combater' should be nuanced and grammatically precise. You are expected to comfortably use it in the subjunctive mood to express necessity, doubt, or desire regarding complex social and global issues. For example, you should be able to construct sentences like 'É fundamental que o governo combata a corrupção de forma eficaz' (It is fundamental that the government combats corruption effectively) or 'Duvido que eles combatam o problema a tempo' (I doubt they will combat the problem in time). You should also be familiar with passive voice constructions, such as 'A inflação deve ser combatida' (Inflation must be combated) or using the reflexive passive 'Combate-se a desinformação com educação' (Misinformation is combated with education). At this upper-intermediate stage, you should easily comprehend native-level news broadcasts, podcasts, and articles where 'combater' is used in diverse contexts, from environmental policies ('combater as alterações climáticas') to economic strategies. Your vocabulary should include a wide range of adverbs to modify the verb, such as 'combater ativamente' (combat actively), 'combater ferozmente' (combat fiercely), or 'combater sistematicamente' (combat systematically), allowing for highly descriptive and articulate expression.

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At the C1 advanced level, your command of 'combater' should be near-native, demonstrating a deep understanding of its register, collocations, and stylistic applications. You should intuitively know when to choose 'combater' over synonyms like 'erradicar', 'mitigar', 'reprimir', or 'debela' to achieve the exact rhetorical effect desired. In academic writing, professional reports, or formal debates, you will use 'combater' to articulate complex arguments and propose systemic solutions. You should be entirely comfortable with advanced grammatical structures, including the personal infinitive ('Para combatermos a crise, precisamos de união' - For us to combat the crisis, we need unity) and complex compound tenses ('Se tivessem combatido o surto mais cedo, vidas teriam sido salvas' - If they had combated the outbreak earlier, lives would have been saved). You will also recognize its use in idiomatic or highly specific journalistic jargon. Your ability to manipulate the word extends to understanding subtle cultural references and historical contexts where the concept of 'combate' has shaped societal narratives in Portuguese-speaking countries. You are not just using the word; you are wielding it as a precise instrument of persuasion and analysis.

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At the C2 mastery level, 'combater' is fully integrated into your linguistic repertoire, and you use it with the effortless precision of a highly educated native speaker. You appreciate the etymological roots of the word and how it connects to broader linguistic patterns in Romance languages. You can play with the word in literary or poetic contexts, perhaps using it metaphorically in ways that stretch its conventional boundaries while remaining perfectly comprehensible and evocative. You are capable of critiquing the rhetoric of politicians or media outlets based on their specific use of 'combater'—analyzing, for instance, how framing an issue as something to be 'combated' militarizes the discourse (e.g., 'o combate às drogas' vs. 'o tratamento da dependência'). Your mastery allows you to seamlessly switch between the most elevated, formal registers (e.g., drafting legal or diplomatic documents regarding international efforts to combat terrorism) and colloquial, everyday speech without hesitation. You understand every subtle shade of meaning, every historical connotation, and every syntactic possibility associated with the verb, allowing for flawless, sophisticated, and culturally resonant communication in any Portuguese-speaking environment.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

combater en 30 segundos

It means to fight, combat, or tackle something negative.
It is a regular verb ending in '-er' (combato, combates, combate).
It does NOT use the preposition 'contra' (against) after it.
Commonly used with words like crime, disease, corruption, and fire.

The Portuguese verb combater is a highly versatile and essential word that translates primarily to 'to combat', 'to fight', 'to tackle', or 'to counter'. It is used when describing the act of taking direct, often vigorous action to reduce, prevent, or eliminate something undesirable, harmful, or dangerous. This can range from literal physical confrontations, such as fighting a fire or an enemy, to abstract and systemic struggles, such as combating poverty, disease, corruption, or climate change. Understanding how to use combater effectively will significantly elevate your ability to discuss current events, social issues, and personal challenges in Portuguese.

Literal Usage: In a literal sense, it refers to physical battles or direct interventions, like soldiers fighting in a war or firefighters putting out flames.

Os bombeiros trabalharam a noite toda para combater o incêndio na floresta.

The firefighters worked all night to fight the forest fire.

Beyond the literal, the figurative applications of combater are incredibly widespread in daily news, political discourse, and everyday conversations. When a government announces a new policy, it is often to combater a specific societal issue. When a doctor prescribes medication, it is to combater an infection. This makes the verb an indispensable tool for learners aiming to achieve fluency and comprehend native materials.

O governo lançou uma nova campanha para combater a pobreza extrema no país.

The government launched a new campaign to combat extreme poverty in the country.

Medical Context: In healthcare, it describes the action of the immune system or medications working against pathogens, viruses, or symptoms.

It is also common to see this verb used in the context of personal habits and self-improvement. For instance, one might drink coffee to combat sleepiness, or exercise to combat stress. The core idea always remains the same: an active, intentional effort to push back against a negative force. The verb is regular, ending in -er, which makes its conjugation straightforward for learners who have mastered the basic patterns of Portuguese verbs.

Eu bebo chá verde todos os dias para combater o cansaço e ter mais energia.

I drink green tea every day to combat fatigue and have more energy.

Precisamos de união para combater as injustiças sociais em nossa comunidade.

We need unity to fight social injustices in our community.

Environmental Context: Frequently used when discussing ecology, such as combating pollution, deforestation, or global warming.

To truly master this word, pay attention to the nouns that frequently follow it. These collocations (words that naturally go together) are the key to sounding like a native speaker. Words like 'crime', 'corrupção', 'doença', 'fome' (hunger), and 'desigualdade' (inequality) are the most common companions to this powerful verb. By practicing these combinations, you will build a robust vocabulary capable of handling complex discussions in Portuguese.

A nova lei visa combater a poluição plástica nos oceanos.

The new law aims to combat plastic pollution in the oceans.

Using combater correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and its typical contexts. As a regular verb ending in '-er', its conjugation follows the standard rules of Portuguese grammar. In the present tense, it is conjugated as: eu combato, tu combates, ele/ela/você combate, nós combatemos, eles/elas/vocês combatem. The most important grammatical feature to remember is that it is a direct transitive verb. This means it requires a direct object to complete its meaning, and crucially, it does not require a preposition between the verb and the object it is acting upon.

Direct Object Rule: Always place the noun you are fighting against directly after the verb. Do not use 'contra' (against) immediately after 'combater'.

A polícia trabalha arduamente para combater o tráfico de drogas na região.

The police work hard to combat drug trafficking in the region.

While English speakers might naturally want to say 'fight against' and translate that literally to 'combater contra', this is considered redundant and incorrect in Portuguese. The 'against' is already built into the meaning of 'combater'. If you absolutely must use the word 'contra', you should switch your verb to 'lutar' (lutar contra o crime). However, 'combater o crime' is more direct, formal, and often preferred in journalistic and academic writing.

É essencial combater a desinformação nas redes sociais.

It is essential to combat misinformation on social media.

Infinitive Usage: It is very commonly used in its infinitive form after prepositions like 'para' (in order to) or auxiliary verbs like 'devemos' (we must).

You will frequently encounter 'combater' in the subjunctive mood when expressing desires, necessities, or doubts. Phrases like 'É necessário que combatamos...' (It is necessary that we combat...) or 'O governo exige que as empresas combatam...' (The government demands that companies combat...) are standard in formal Portuguese. Mastering these subjunctive forms will allow you to express complex opinions about social and political issues with nuance and accuracy.

O médico receitou antibióticos para combater a infecção bacteriana.

The doctor prescribed antibiotics to fight the bacterial infection.

Nós combatemos o preconceito através da educação e do diálogo.

We combat prejudice through education and dialogue.

Reflexive Usage: Rarely, it can be used reflexively (combater-se) to mean fighting each other, though 'lutar entre si' is much more common for this meaning.

In summary, using 'combater' effectively is about pairing it with the right abstract or concrete nouns and avoiding unnecessary prepositions. It is a strong, action-oriented verb that brings a sense of purpose and determination to your sentences. Whether you are writing a formal essay on climate change or simply telling a friend how you are trying to get over a cold, 'combater' is the precise and powerful vocabulary choice you need.

Eles criaram uma ONG para combater a fome na África.

They created an NGO to combat hunger in Africa.

The verb combater is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking environments, echoing through various facets of daily life, media, and professional settings. Because it deals with the universal human experience of facing and overcoming challenges, you will encounter it in almost every type of discourse. From the dramatic headlines of evening news broadcasts to the reassuring advice of a local pharmacist, the contexts in which this word appears are vast and varied. Recognizing these contexts will help you anticipate the word and understand the broader message being conveyed.

News and Journalism: This is arguably the most common place to hear the word. Journalists use it daily to report on government actions, police operations, and social movements.

O telejornal anunciou novas medidas para combater a inflação crescente.

The news broadcast announced new measures to combat rising inflation.

In political campaigns and debates, candidates frequently promise to combater various societal ills to win votes. You will hear phrases like 'combater a corrupção' (fight corruption), 'combater o desemprego' (fight unemployment), and 'combater a desigualdade' (fight inequality) repeated as mantras. It is a powerful rhetorical tool that conveys strong leadership and a proactive stance. Understanding this political usage is crucial for anyone interested in the civic life of Portuguese-speaking countries.

O candidato prometeu combater a criminalidade com mais policiamento nas ruas.

The candidate promised to combat crime with more policing on the streets.

Health and Medicine: Doctors, pharmacists, and health articles use it to describe how treatments, diets, and medicines work against diseases and symptoms.

If you visit a pharmacy in Lisbon or São Paulo, you might ask for something to combater a headache or a cold. Product packaging for cosmetics and supplements also heavily relies on this verb, promising to combater signs of aging, acne, or fatigue. This everyday commercial and medical usage makes it a highly practical word for tourists and expats living in Portuguese-speaking regions.

Este xarope é excelente para combater a tosse seca durante a noite.

This syrup is excellent for combating a dry cough during the night.

O novo creme facial ajuda a combater as rugas e linhas de expressão.

The new facial cream helps to combat wrinkles and fine lines.

Sports and Gaming: In video games, especially RPGs and strategy games, it is used to describe engaging enemies. In sports, it can describe a team's defensive efforts.

Finally, in the realm of sports commentary and video game localization, combater finds an action-packed home. Gamers will see prompts to combater monsters or rival factions. Sports commentators might analyze how a football team plans to combater the aggressive offensive strategy of their opponents. This wide spectrum of usage—from the serious halls of government to the virtual battlefields of gaming—proves that mastering this verb is a significant step toward fluency.

O treinador montou uma estratégia defensiva para combater o ataque adversário.

The coach set up a defensive strategy to combat the opponent's attack.

When learning the verb combater, students often make a few predictable errors, primarily stemming from direct translation habits from their native languages, especially English and Spanish. The most frequent and glaring mistake is the unnecessary addition of prepositions. Because English speakers say 'to fight against', they naturally want to insert the Portuguese word 'contra' immediately after the verb. This results in the grammatically incorrect phrase 'combater contra'. Understanding why this is wrong is the first step to sounding more natural.

The Preposition Error: Never say 'combater contra o crime'. The correct form is simply 'combater o crime'. The verb is transitive direct.

❌ Errado: Precisamos combater contra a fome.
✅ Certo: Precisamos combater a fome.

We need to combat hunger. (Notice the absence of 'contra' in the correct version).

Another common pitfall is confusing combater with its close synonym lutar. While both mean 'to fight', their grammatical structures and subtle nuances differ. Lutar is intransitive or requires a preposition (lutar por = to fight for; lutar contra = to fight against). Combater is more formal, direct, and often used for systemic issues or specific targets. You 'luta por liberdade' (fight for freedom), but you 'combate a opressão' (combat oppression). Mixing these up can lead to awkward sentences.

Eles decidiram combater o incêndio antes que se espalhasse mais.

They decided to fight the fire before it spread further.

Conjugation Slips: Some learners misconjugate it in the subjunctive mood, forgetting that -er verbs take -a endings in the present subjunctive (que eu combata).

Pronunciation errors also occur, particularly with the stress placement. English speakers might stress the first syllable (COM-ba-ter), but in Portuguese, infinitive verbs ending in -er are stressed on the final syllable (com-ba-TER). When conjugated in the present tense, the stress shifts to the penultimate syllable (com-BA-to). Misplacing this stress can sometimes confuse native listeners momentarily, though the context usually clarifies the meaning.

O professor pediu que a turma combata o bullying na escola.

The teacher asked the class to combat bullying in the school.

Para combater o vírus, é necessário repouso e hidratação.

To fight the virus, rest and hydration are necessary.

Overuse in Casual Contexts: Using 'combater' for minor, trivial disagreements (like fighting with a sibling over the TV remote) sounds overly dramatic. Use 'brigar' or 'discutir' instead.

By being mindful of these common mistakes—especially the temptation to add 'contra', confusing it with 'lutar', and applying it to trivial arguments—you will significantly refine your Portuguese. Practice writing sentences using 'combater' with direct objects like 'o problema', 'a doença', and 'a crise' to build muscle memory and reinforce the correct grammatical structure.

A vacina foi desenvolvida para combater a nova variante da gripe.

The vaccine was developed to combat the new flu variant.

The Portuguese language is rich with verbs that describe struggle, conflict, and opposition. While combater is a highly useful and common word, knowing its synonyms and related terms will allow you to express yourself with greater precision and variety. Depending on the exact nature of the fight—whether it is a physical brawl, a legal dispute, a long-term social campaign, or an internal emotional struggle—different verbs will be more appropriate. Let us explore some of the most common alternatives and how they compare to our main word.

Lutar (To fight / To struggle): This is the most direct synonym, but it is broader. You can 'lutar por' (fight for) something positive, whereas you generally 'combater' something negative. It also requires prepositions.

Eles vão lutar pelos seus direitos, assim como vão combater a injustiça.

They will fight for their rights, just as they will combat injustice.

Another common word is enfrentar, which translates to 'to face' or 'to confront'. While combater implies an active attempt to destroy or reduce the opposing force, enfrentar simply means to stand up to it or deal with it bravely. You might enfrentar a difficult situation without necessarily being able to combater the root cause. For physical altercations, especially informal ones, the verb brigar is used. You would never use combater to describe two children fighting over a toy; that is a situation for brigar.

Temos que enfrentar nossos medos para podermos combater a ansiedade.

We have to face our fears so we can combat anxiety.

Erradicar (To eradicate): This is a stronger, more final version of combater. While combater is the ongoing fight, erradicar is the ultimate goal of completely wiping something out.

In formal or academic contexts, you might also encounter the verb opor-se (to oppose). This is less about active fighting and more about taking a stance against something. For instance, a politician might opor-se to a new law, which is a form of political combat, but lacks the physical or aggressive undertones of combater. Understanding these subtle gradients of meaning will greatly enhance your reading comprehension and writing skills.

O objetivo final da medicina é erradicar a doença, não apenas combater os sintomas.

The ultimate goal of medicine is to eradicate the disease, not just combat the symptoms.

Os irmãos começaram a brigar por causa do controle remoto da televisão.

The siblings started to fight over the television remote control. (Notice 'brigar' is used here, not 'combater').

Batalhar (To battle): Often used figuratively to describe working very hard to achieve a goal, rather than fighting against a negative force.

By carefully selecting between combater, lutar, enfrentar, and brigar, you demonstrate a sophisticated grasp of Portuguese vocabulary. Remember that combater is your go-to word for formal, systemic, or medical struggles against a clear, negative target. Keep practicing these distinctions, and your Portuguese will sound increasingly natural and precise.

Ele teve que batalhar muito na vida para conseguir pagar a faculdade.

He had to battle (work hard) a lot in life to be able to pay for college.

How Formal Is It?

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

Direct Transitive Verbs: Understanding verbs that do not require prepositions.

Regular -er Verb Conjugation: Present, Past, and Future tenses.

The Subjunctive Mood: Using 'combater' after expressions of necessity (É preciso que...).

Passive Voice: 'O crime é combatido' (Crime is combated).

Infinitive usage after prepositions: 'para combater' (in order to combat).

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Ejemplos por nivel

Eu quero combater o fogo.

I want to fight the fire.

Uses the infinitive 'combater' after the conjugated verb 'quero'.

Nós precisamos combater o problema.

We need to combat the problem.

'Precisamos' (we need) + infinitive 'combater'.

O herói vai combater o monstro.

The hero is going to fight the monster.

Future with 'ir': 'vai' + infinitive.

Eles querem combater o crime.

They want to fight crime.

Direct object 'o crime' immediately follows the verb.

Você precisa combater a doença.

You need to fight the disease.

Simple sentence structure for A1 learners.

Como combater a dor?

How to fight the pain?

Using the infinitive in a simple question.

É bom combater o mal.

It is good to fight evil.

Impersonal expression 'É bom' + infinitive.

Eu combato o cansaço com café.

I fight tiredness with coffee.

First-person present tense 'combato'.

O governo combate a pobreza no país.

The government combats poverty in the country.

Third-person singular present tense 'combate'.

Os médicos combateram o vírus no hospital.

The doctors fought the virus in the hospital.

Third-person plural past tense 'combateram'.

Nós combatemos o incêndio ontem à noite.

We fought the fire last night.

First-person plural past tense 'combatemos'.

Ela toma vitaminas para combater o resfriado.

She takes vitamins to fight the cold.

Infinitive used to express purpose after 'para'.

A polícia está tentando combater a violência.

The police are trying to combat violence.

Present continuous 'está tentando' + infinitive.

Você combateu o problema muito bem.

You fought the problem very well.

Second-person singular past tense 'combateu'.

Eles sempre combatem as injustiças na escola.

They always fight injustices at school.

Adverb 'sempre' used with present tense 'combatem'.

Vou comprar um remédio para combater a febre.

I am going to buy medicine to fight the fever.

Future intention 'Vou comprar' + purpose 'para combater'.

A nova lei ajudará a combater a corrupção política.

The new law will help to combat political corruption.

Future tense auxiliary 'ajudará' + preposition 'a' + infinitive.

As ONGs combatem a fome em várias regiões da África.

NGOs combat hunger in various regions of Africa.

Plural subject 'ONGs' with present tense 'combatem'.

Se nós não combatermos a poluição, o planeta sofrerá.

If we do not combat pollution, the planet will suffer.

Future subjunctive 'combatermos' used in a conditional 'se' clause.

O combate ao desemprego é a prioridade deste ano.

The fight against unemployment is the priority this year.

Using the noun form 'O combate' with the preposition 'a' + 'o' (ao).

Eles combatiam o preconceito através da arte e da música.

They used to combat prejudice through art and music.

Imperfect past tense 'combatiam' for an ongoing past action.

É importante que a sociedade combata a desinformação online.

It is important that society combats online misinformation.

Present subjunctive 'combata' triggered by 'É importante que'.

O exército foi enviado para combater os rebeldes na fronteira.

The army was sent to combat the rebels at the border.

Passive voice 'foi enviado' + purpose 'para combater'.

Temos que combater o desperdício de água em nossas casas.

We have to combat water waste in our homes.

Obligation 'Temos que' + infinitive 'combater'.

Para que possamos progredir, é imperativo que combatamos a desigualdade social.

In order for us to progress, it is imperative that we combat social inequality.

Present subjunctive 'combatamos' following 'é imperativo que'.

A epidemia teria sido evitada se tivessem combatido o foco inicial rapidamente.

The epidemic would have been avoided if they had combated the initial outbreak quickly.

Pluperfect subjunctive 'tivessem combatido' in a past conditional sentence.

O ativista dedicou sua vida a combater as violações dos direitos humanos.

The activist dedicated his life to combating human rights violations.

Verb 'dedicar' + preposition 'a' + infinitive 'combater'.

Embora o governo combata a inflação, os preços continuam a subir.

Although the government combats inflation, prices continue to rise.

Concessive conjunction 'Embora' triggering the subjunctive 'combata'.

A campanha publicitária visa combater o estigma associado à saúde mental.

The advertising campaign aims to combat the stigma associated with mental health.

Formal verb 'visar' (to aim) + infinitive 'combater'.

Combater as alterações climáticas exige um esforço coordenado globalmente.

Combating climate change requires a globally coordinated effort.

Infinitive 'Combater' acting as the subject of the sentence.

As medidas adotadas não foram suficientes para combater a evasão fiscal.

The measures adopted were not sufficient to combat tax evasion.

Formal vocabulary 'evasão fiscal' as the direct object.

Ao combatermos o sedentarismo, melhoramos significativamente nossa qualidade de vida.

By combating a sedentary lifestyle, we significantly improve our quality of life.

Personal infinitive 'combatermos' after the preposition 'Ao' (Upon/By).

A retórica política frequentemente se apropria do verbo combater para militarizar questões de saúde pública.

Political rhetoric frequently appropriates the verb to combat to militarize public health issues.

Advanced vocabulary and analytical sentence structure.

É imprescindível que as nações unam esforços e combatam o terrorismo cibernético de forma implacável.

It is indispensable that nations unite efforts and combat cyber terrorism relentlessly.

Subjunctive 'combatam' with advanced adverbs like 'implacável'.

O autor argumenta que não basta mitigar os danos; é preciso combater a raiz estrutural do problema.

The author argues that it is not enough to mitigate the damages; it is necessary to combat the structural root of the problem.

Contrasting 'mitigar' with 'combater' for precise meaning.

Tendo combatido a censura durante a ditadura, a jornalista valorizava a liberdade de imprensa acima de tudo.

Having combated censorship during the dictatorship, the journalist valued press freedom above all.

Gerund phrase 'Tendo combatido' (Having combated) indicating a past cause.

A eficácia das sanções econômicas em combater o financiamento ilícito continua sendo objeto de intenso debate acadêmico.

The effectiveness of economic sanctions in combating illicit financing remains the subject of intense academic debate.

Complex noun phrases and formal academic register.

A nova diretiva europeia estipula prazos rigorosos para que os Estados-membros combatam o branqueamento de capitais.

The new European directive stipulates strict deadlines for Member States to combat money laundering.

Subjunctive 'combatam' triggered by 'para que' in a legal context.

Longe de se render, a comunidade local organizou-se para combater a especulação imobiliária que ameaçava o bairro.

Far from surrendering, the local community organized itself to combat the real estate speculation that threatened the neighborhood.

Infinitive 'combater' expressing purpose in a complex narrative sentence.

O medicamento atua a nível celular, combatendo a proliferação anômala dos tecidos afetados.

The medication acts at the cellular level, combating the anomalous proliferation of the affected tissues.

Gerund 'combatendo' used to explain the mechanism of action in a scientific context.

A falácia inerente à guerra às drogas reside na crença de que se pode combater um problema de saúde pública com táticas bélicas.

The fallacy inherent in the war on drugs lies in the belief that one can combat a public health problem with warlike tactics.

Highly sophisticated vocabulary and philosophical argument structure.

O ensaísta propõe que, para combatermos a alienação contemporânea, devemos resgatar o valor do ócio contemplativo.

The essayist proposes that, for us to combat contemporary alienation, we must rescue the value of contemplative idleness.

Personal infinitive 'combatermos' within a complex philosophical proposition.

A diplomacia coercitiva falhou miseravelmente em combater as ambições nucleares do regime autocrático.

Coercive diplomacy failed miserably in combating the nuclear ambitions of the autocratic regime.

Advanced geopolitical terminology and precise verb usage.

Somente através de uma desconstrução sistemática dos preconceitos arraigados é que se poderá combater o racismo estrutural.

Only through a systematic deconstruction of ingrained prejudices will it be possible to combat structural racism.

Passive reflexive 'se poderá combater' in a highly formal sociological context.

A historiografia recente tem procurado combater a narrativa eurocêntrica que dominou os currículos escolares durante décadas.

Recent historiography has sought to combat the Eurocentric narrative that dominated school curricula for decades.

Present perfect continuous equivalent 'tem procurado combater' for an ongoing academic trend.

O paradoxo da tolerância sugere que, para mantermos uma sociedade tolerante, devemos combater implacavelmente a intolerância.

The paradox of tolerance suggests that, to maintain a tolerant society, we must relentlessly combat intolerance.

Using 'combater' to articulate a complex philosophical paradox.

A legislação antitruste foi concebida primordialmente para combater a formação de monopólios e cartéis que asfixiam a livre concorrência.

Antitrust legislation was primarily conceived to combat the formation of monopolies and cartels that suffocate free competition.

Legal and economic jargon used flawlessly with the infinitive.

Ao invés de combater os sintomas da crise institucional, o parlamento optou por uma reforma constitucional profunda e abrangente.

Instead of combating the symptoms of the institutional crisis, the parliament opted for a deep and comprehensive constitutional reform.

Contrastive phrase 'Ao invés de combater' demonstrating high-level rhetorical structuring.

Colocaciones comunes

combater o crime

combater a corrupção

combater a doença

combater o incêndio

combater a pobreza

combater a inflação

combater o terrorismo

combater a desigualdade

combater o vírus

combater a fome

Frases Comunes

medidas para combater

esforços para combater

ajuda a combater

forma de combater

combater o bom combate

difícil de combater

necessidade de combater

estratégia para combater

combater de frente

combater ativamente

Se confunde a menudo con

combater vs lutar (to fight - requires prepositions)

combater vs brigar (to quarrel/brawl - used for personal disputes)

combater vs competir (to compete - used in sports or business)

Modismos y expresiones

"combater o fogo com fogo"

"combater moinhos de vento"

"combater na linha de frente"

"combater até o fim"

"combater o bom combate"

"combater as sombras"

"combater contra a maré"

"combater o relógio"

"combater a própria sombra"

"combater com unhas e dentes"

Fácil de confundir

combater vs

Patrones de oraciones

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Cómo usarlo

nuance

It implies a systematic, organized, or strong effort to eliminate something. It is stronger and more targeted than simply 'dealing with' a problem.

formality

Neutral to Formal. It is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation but is highly prevalent in formal, journalistic, and academic writing.

regionalisms

Universally understood and used identically across Brazil, Portugal, and other Lusophone countries.

Errores comunes

Adding 'contra' after the verb (e.g., saying 'combater contra o crime' instead of 'combater o crime').
Using 'combater' for petty arguments or physical brawls between individuals (use 'brigar' instead).
Mispronouncing the stress on the first syllable (COM-ba-ter) instead of the last (com-ba-TER).
Spelling it with an 'n' (conbater) instead of an 'm' (combater).
Confusing it with 'lutar' and trying to use prepositions like 'por' (combater por liberdade is incorrect; use lutar por liberdade).

Consejos

Drop the 'Contra'

Always remember that 'combater' does not need 'contra'. This is the number one mistake English speakers make. Just connect the verb straight to the noun.

Learn Collocations

Don't just learn the word; learn its friends. Memorize phrases like 'combater o crime' and 'combater a doença' as single units of meaning.

Stress the Ending

When saying the infinitive 'combater', make sure your voice goes up and emphasizes the final 'TER'. This makes you sound much more native.

Elevate Your Writing

If you are taking a proficiency exam like Celpe-Bras, using 'combater' instead of simpler words like 'acabar com' will boost your vocabulary score.

Watch the News

Tune into a Portuguese or Brazilian news broadcast for 10 minutes. You are almost guaranteed to hear the word 'combater' used by a journalist or politician.

Pharmacy Visits

If you ever need medicine in a Portuguese-speaking country, tell the pharmacist what you want to 'combater' (e.g., 'Quero algo para combater a tosse').

M before B

Remember the Portuguese spelling rule: always use 'm' before 'p' and 'b'. Therefore, it is spelled 'coMbater', never 'coNbater'.

Mix it Up

Once you are comfortable with 'combater', start mixing in 'enfrentar' (to face) to avoid repeating the same word in long conversations.

Subjunctive Trigger

Use 'combater' to practice your subjunctive. Phrases like 'É importante que o governo combata...' are perfect for mastering this advanced grammar point.

Social Campaigns

Look up Brazilian or Portuguese social awareness campaigns online. You will see 'combater' or 'combate' used extensively, giving you great real-world reading practice.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a COMBAT boot stepping on a TERrible bug. You use the COMBAT boot to COMBATER the bug.

Origen de la palabra

Late Latin

Contexto cultural

Used in contexts of national development, such as 'combater a malária' or 'combater o analfabetismo' (combat illiteracy).

Often used in public health campaigns, especially regarding tropical diseases like Dengue or Zika (combater o mosquito).

Frequently used in political and economic contexts, such as 'combater o défice' (combat the deficit) or 'combater os incêndios florestais' (combat forest fires), which are a major issue in the summer.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"O que você acha que o governo deve fazer para combater a inflação?"

"Qual é a melhor maneira de combater o estresse do dia a dia?"

"Você acha que é possível combater a corrupção totalmente?"

"O que você toma para combater a dor de cabeça?"

"Como podemos combater as mudanças climáticas em nossa comunidade?"

Temas para diario

Escreva sobre um problema na sua cidade e como você acha que as autoridades deveriam combatê-lo.

Descreva uma vez em que você teve que combater um mau hábito. Como foi?

Na sua opinião, qual é o maior desafio que o mundo precisa combater hoje?

Como a educação pode ajudar a combater o preconceito?

Faça uma lista de coisas que você faz para combater o cansaço durante a semana.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, this is a very common mistake. 'Combater' is a direct transitive verb, meaning it connects directly to the object. You should say 'combater o problema', not 'combater contra o problema'.

'Combater' is generally used for fighting against negative things (disease, crime) and takes a direct object. 'Lutar' is broader, can be used for fighting FOR something (lutar por liberdade), and usually requires a preposition (lutar contra, lutar por).

Yes, it is a completely regular verb ending in '-er'. It follows the exact same conjugation rules as verbs like 'comer' or 'beber'.

While technically possible, it sounds very formal or archaic, like a military battle. For a regular physical fight or argument between people, it is much better to use 'brigar'.

The 'm' before the 'b' creates a nasal vowel sound for the 'o'. It sounds similar to the 'om' in the English word 'trombone', but slightly more nasal. It is not a hard 'm' sound with the lips closing tightly before the 'b'.

The noun form is 'o combate', which means 'the combat' or 'the fight'. You will often see it in phrases like 'o combate à corrupção' (the fight against corruption).

It is rare, but you can use it in the passive reflexive form, like 'Combate-se a doença com vacinas' (The disease is combated with vaccines). Using it to mean 'fighting each other' (eles combateram-se) is uncommon; 'eles lutaram entre si' is preferred.

Yes, very frequently. Doctors and medicine advertisements use it to describe fighting a virus, an infection, or symptoms like a headache or fever.

You say 'combater as mudanças climáticas' (in Brazil) or 'combater as alterações climáticas' (in Portugal).

Yes. In the infinitive, the stress is on the last syllable (com-ba-TER). In the present tense 'eu combato', the stress moves to the penultimate syllable (com-BA-to).

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