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A2 noun 8 min de lecture

combate

Exemples combate en 30 secondes
Explication combate in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn 'combate' as a word for a 'fight' or 'match' in sports like boxing. It is a masculine noun: 'el combate'. You might see it in simple sentences about sports or action movies. Think of it as a formal way to say 'fight'. For example, if you see two people boxing on TV, you can say 'Es un combate'. At this stage, just focus on the basic meaning of a physical fight between two people or groups. Remember that it is similar to the English word 'combat', which makes it easy to remember. Just be careful with the pronunciation: com-BA-te.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'combate' in more specific contexts, such as military skirmishes or organized efforts against problems. You should be able to understand phrases like 'el combate contra la pobreza' (the fight against poverty). You will also learn the common expression 'fuera de combate', which means someone is 'knocked out' or 'out of action', either literally in a sport or figuratively when someone is very tired. You should recognize that 'combate' is more formal than 'pelea'. While 'pelea' is for everyday arguments, 'combate' is for serious, organized confrontations.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'combate' in metaphorical senses and in technical descriptions. You will notice it often appearing in news reports about social issues or international conflicts. You should learn to use it with the correct prepositions, such as 'combate contra' or 'combate a'. You will also encounter it in historical contexts, describing specific engagements in a war. You should be able to distinguish 'combate' from 'batalla' (battle) and 'lucha' (struggle), understanding that 'combate' often refers to a single, specific event of fighting.
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At the B2 level, you should understand the stylistic nuances of 'combate'. It is frequently used in political and journalistic rhetoric to emphasize the intensity of an effort. You might read about 'el combate a la inflación' or 'el combate frontal contra el terrorismo'. You should also be familiar with more advanced fixed expressions like 'combate cuerpo a cuerpo' (hand-to-hand combat). At this level, you should be able to use the word in essays or formal discussions about society, history, or sports, choosing it over 'pelea' to maintain a professional register.
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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the subtle differences between 'combate', 'pugna', 'contienda', and 'enfrentamiento'. You will see 'combate' used in literary texts to describe internal or existential struggles. You should be able to analyze how the word is used in specialized fields, such as military science or high-level sports analysis. Your usage should be precise, using 'combate' to describe tactical actions while using 'guerra' for the strategic whole. You should also be able to use the word in complex idiomatic ways to describe intellectual or ideological clashes.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'combate' in all its literal, metaphorical, and technical applications. You can use it to discuss complex historical theories (e.g., the nature of combat in the Middle Ages) or philosophical concepts (e.g., the 'combate' between reason and passion). You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to other Romance language cognates. You can use the word with perfect precision in any register, from a formal academic paper to a high-speed sports commentary, capturing the exact level of intensity and formality required by the context.
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Exemples

combate en 30 secondes

  • Combate refers to a physical fight, a sports match, or a metaphorical struggle against social issues.
  • It is a masculine noun (el combate) and is more formal than the word 'pelea'.
  • Commonly used in military, sports (boxing/MMA), and political contexts (fighting crime/poverty).
  • Key phrases include 'fuera de combate' (knocked out) and 'combate cuerpo a cuerpo' (hand-to-hand combat).
The Spanish word combate is a versatile masculine noun that primarily refers to a physical struggle, a fight, or a formalized engagement between opposing forces. At its most literal level, it describes military engagements where armed forces clash in a specific time and place. Unlike 'guerra' (war), which describes a general state of conflict, a 'combate' is a localized event. However, its usage extends far beyond the battlefield. In the world of sports, particularly in boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts, 'combate' is the standard term for a match or a bout. When you watch a televised boxing event in a Spanish-speaking country, the announcer will frequently refer to the 'combate estelar' or the main event. Beyond physical violence or sport, the word takes on a metaphorical weight. It is used to describe the struggle against abstract concepts such as social ills, diseases, or personal vices. For instance, a government might announce a 'combate contra la pobreza' (fight against poverty) or a 'combate contra la corrupción' (fight against corruption). In these contexts, it implies a systematic, organized, and determined effort to overcome a significant challenge. The word carries a sense of intensity and purpose; a 'combate' is rarely accidental or minor. It suggests a confrontation where something is at stake, whether it be territory, a championship belt, or the health of a population. Understanding the nuances of 'combate' requires recognizing whether the context is military (tactical), sporting (regulated), or social (metaphorical).
Military Context
Refers to a specific tactical engagement between armed units, such as a skirmish or a localized battle.

El combate naval duró varias horas antes de que la flota se retirara.

Sporting Context
Used for individual matches in contact sports where two participants face off according to specific rules.

Fue un combate de boxeo muy equilibrado y emocionante.

Abstract Context
Describes organized efforts to eliminate or reduce negative social phenomena or medical conditions.

La organización se dedica al combate del hambre en las zonas rurales.

El paciente mostró mucha valentía en su combate contra el cáncer.

Los bomberos están en pleno combate contra el incendio forestal.

Using combate correctly requires attention to the prepositions that follow it. When describing a fight against something, we almost always use 'contra'. For example, 'combate contra el crimen' (combat against crime). When referring to the type of fight or the participants, we might use 'de' or 'entre'. For instance, 'un combate de titanes' (a clash of titans) or 'el combate entre los dos ejércitos' (the fight between the two armies). It is also frequently found in fixed phrases like 'fuera de combate', which means 'knocked out' or 'out of commission'. This can be used literally in boxing or figuratively when someone is too tired or sick to function. Another common structure is 'entrar en combate', meaning 'to enter the fray' or 'to start fighting'. In military reports, you might hear 'el cese del combate', which means the cessation of fighting. Because it is a noun, it can be modified by various adjectives to describe the nature of the fight: 'combate cuerpo a cuerpo' (hand-to-hand combat), 'combate encarnizado' (fierce combat), or 'combate desigual' (uneven fight). In everyday speech, while you might use 'pelea' for a small scuffle between friends, you would elevate your language to 'combate' to describe a professional match or a serious societal struggle.
Fixed Phrase: Fuera de combate
Used to describe someone who can no longer participate in an activity due to injury, exhaustion, or defeat.

Después de correr el maratón, quedé totalmente fuera de combate.

Fixed Phrase: Cuerpo a cuerpo
Describes physical fighting at very close range without long-distance weapons.

Los soldados se enfrentaron en un combate cuerpo a cuerpo.

Prepositional Usage
Use 'contra' for the opponent or problem, and 'de' for the type or participants.

Iniciaron un plan para el combate contra la inflación.

Presenciamos un combate de esgrima impresionante.

El combate por los derechos civiles duró décadas.

You will encounter combate in a variety of high-stakes environments. In journalism, it is a staple of international news reporting, especially when covering armed conflicts or geopolitical tensions. News anchors will speak of 'combates intensos en la frontera' (intense fighting at the border). In the world of sports, it is the primary term used by commentators for boxing, MMA, and martial arts. You'll hear phrases like 'el próximo combate será por el título mundial' (the next fight will be for the world title). In political discourse, leaders often use the word to sound decisive and strong, promising a 'combate frontal contra la delincuencia' (a direct fight against crime). In historical documentaries, it is used to describe specific events like 'el combate de San Lorenzo'. Even in medical or environmental contexts, you'll hear it used to describe the 'combate contra el cambio climático' or 'combate contra epidemias'. It is a word that signals seriousness, effort, and conflict. It is rarely used for trivial matters; you wouldn't use 'combate' to describe a minor disagreement over where to eat dinner. It implies a level of organization or intensity that separates it from a simple 'pelea' or 'discusión'.
News Media
Reporting on war, crime, or government initiatives.

Las noticias informan sobre nuevos combates en la región oriental.

Sports Commentary
Describing professional fighting matches and tournaments.

¡Qué combate tan increíble estamos viendo esta noche!

Government/Policy
Official statements regarding social or economic problems.

El gobierno ha priorizado el combate al narcotráfico.

El general dio la orden de iniciar el combate.

Este combate es decisivo para el futuro de la nación.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using the wrong gender for combate. Because many words ending in 'e' are feminine (like 'la clase' or 'la gente'), students often say 'la combate'. However, 'combate' is strictly masculine: 'el combate'. Another common error is confusing 'combate' with 'pelea'. While they both mean fight, 'pelea' is much more common for informal, everyday arguments or scuffles, whereas 'combate' is reserved for formal matches, military actions, or major social struggles. Using 'combate' for a small argument between siblings sounds unnaturally formal or even humorous. Additionally, learners often struggle with the preposition 'contra'. In English, we might say 'the fight of poverty', but in Spanish, it must be 'el combate contra la pobreza' or 'el combate a la pobreza'. Using 'de' in that context (el combate de la pobreza) would imply that poverty is doing the fighting. Finally, avoid confusing the noun 'combate' with the verb 'combate' (he/she fights). While they look and sound identical, their roles in a sentence are different. 'El combate fue duro' (The fight was hard) vs. 'Él combate el crimen' (He fights crime).
Gender Error
Mistakenly using 'la' instead of 'el'. Always remember: EL combate.

Incorrecto: La combate fue larga. Correcto: El combate fue largo.

Context Misuse
Using 'combate' for informal arguments. Use 'pelea' or 'discusión' instead.

Evita decir: 'Tuve un combate con mi hermano por el mando de la tele'.

Preposition Pitfall
Forgetting 'contra' or 'a' when fighting a problem.

Es el combate contra la injusticia, no 'el combate de la injusticia'.

El boxeador se preparó para el combate durante meses.

No hay gloria en un combate injusto.

While combate is a powerful word, Spanish offers several alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. 'Lucha' is perhaps the closest synonym, but it often implies a more sustained, long-term struggle, such as 'la lucha por la libertad' (the struggle for freedom). While you can have a 'combate de boxeo', you can also have a 'lucha libre' (wrestling). 'Batalla' is another close relative, usually referring to a larger-scale military engagement that is part of a wider war. For example, 'La Batalla de Normandía' consisted of many individual 'combates'. 'Pelea' is the go-to word for informal fights, scuffles, or arguments. If two people start hitting each other in the street, it's a 'pelea'. 'Contienda' is a more literary or formal term for a contest or conflict, often used in political or legal contexts. 'Enfrentamiento' is a neutral term for any kind of confrontation or clash, whether physical or verbal. Finally, 'pugna' is a very formal, elevated word for a rivalry or struggle for power. Choosing between these depends on the scale and formality of the situation.
Combate vs. Lucha
Combate is often more specific or technical (a match, a skirmish); Lucha is broader and can be ideological or long-term.

El combate terminó en el tercer asalto, pero la lucha por el título continúa.

Combate vs. Pelea
Combate is professional/formal; Pelea is informal/personal.

Lo que empezó como una pequeña pelea terminó siendo un combate serio.

Synonym: Enfrentamiento
A general term for any clash or confrontation.

Hubo un fuerte enfrentamiento antes del combate final.

La contienda electoral fue muy reñida.

La pugna por el poder dividió al partido.

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Exemples par niveau

1

El combate de boxeo es a las ocho.

The boxing match is at eight.

Combate is a masculine noun.

2

Me gusta ver el combate.

I like to watch the fight.

Direct object with 'el'.

3

Es un combate muy difícil.

It is a very difficult fight.

Adjective 'difícil' follows the noun.

4

El combate termina ahora.

The fight ends now.

Present tense verb 'termina'.

5

¡Qué buen combate!

What a good fight!

Exclamatory sentence.

6

Ellos miran el combate.

They watch the fight.

Subject pronoun 'ellos'.

7

El combate es en la televisión.

The fight is on television.

Preposition 'en'.

8

No quiero ver el combate.

I don't want to watch the fight.

Negative sentence with 'no'.

1

Los soldados están listos para el combate.

The soldiers are ready for combat.

Plural subject 'los soldados'.

2

El boxeador quedó fuera de combate.

The boxer was knocked out.

Idiom 'fuera de combate'.

3

Es necesario el combate contra la pobreza.

The fight against poverty is necessary.

Preposition 'contra'.

4

Vimos un combate de esgrima ayer.

We saw a fencing match yesterday.

Preterite tense 'vimos'.

5

El combate duró solo diez minutos.

The fight lasted only ten minutes.

Verb 'durar' in preterite.

6

Hay un plan para el combate al fuego.

There is a plan for fighting the fire.

Preposition 'al' (a + el).

7

El combate fue muy violento.

The combat was very violent.

Past tense of 'ser'.

8

Él es un experto en el combate.

He is an expert in combat.

Noun used as a field of expertise.

1

El combate naval cambió el curso de la guerra.

The naval combat changed the course of the war.

Adjective 'naval' modifies 'combate'.

2

La policía inició el combate contra el tráfico de drogas.

The police started the fight against drug trafficking.

Compound noun phrase 'tráfico de drogas'.

3

El herido fue retirado del combate.

The wounded man was removed from the fight.

Passive voice construction.

4

No hubo sobrevivientes en aquel combate.

There were no survivors in that combat.

Impersonal 'haber' in preterite.

5

El combate por la igualdad es una tarea de todos.

The struggle for equality is everyone's task.

Preposition 'por' indicating purpose.

6

Los aviones entraron en combate al amanecer.

The planes entered combat at dawn.

Phrase 'entrar en combate'.

7

Fue un combate desigual entre los dos ejércitos.

It was an uneven fight between the two armies.

Adjective 'desigual'.

8

El cese de los combates trajo alivio a la ciudad.

The cessation of fighting brought relief to the city.

Plural 'combates' refers to multiple instances.

1

La estrategia de combate fue diseñada por el general.

The combat strategy was designed by the general.

Noun-noun relationship with 'de'.

2

El país está agotado tras años de combate constante.

The country is exhausted after years of constant fighting.

Preposition 'tras' (after).

3

El combate a la inflación requiere medidas drásticas.

The fight against inflation requires drastic measures.

Metaphorical usage in economics.

4

Se produjo un combate cuerpo a cuerpo en las trincheras.

Hand-to-hand combat occurred in the trenches.

Idiomatic 'cuerpo a cuerpo'.

5

El boxeador se recuperó después de estar fuera de combate.

The boxer recovered after being out of commission.

Gerund 'estar' in the idiom.

6

El combate dialéctico entre los políticos fue intenso.

The dialectic combat between the politicians was intense.

Adjective 'dialéctico' (intellectual fight).

7

Las tropas se retiraron para evitar un combate innecesario.

The troops withdrew to avoid unnecessary combat.

Infinitive 'evitar' after 'para'.

8

El combate por la presidencia se decidirá mañana.

The fight for the presidency will be decided tomorrow.

Future tense 'se decidirá'.

1

El combate encarnizado dejó una huella imborrable en la historia.

The fierce combat left an indelible mark on history.

Elevated adjective 'encarnizado'.

2

La novela narra el combate interno del protagonista.

The novel narrates the protagonist's internal struggle.

Metaphorical 'combate interno'.

3

El combate a la corrupción es el pilar de su campaña.

The fight against corruption is the pillar of his campaign.

Abstract noun as a political concept.

4

Se requiere un combate coordinado a nivel internacional.

A coordinated fight at an international level is required.

Passive 'se requiere'.

5

El combate por los recursos naturales se intensifica.

The fight for natural resources is intensifying.

Reflexive 'se intensifica'.

6

El análisis del combate reveló fallos tácticos graves.

The analysis of the combat revealed serious tactical failures.

Noun phrase subject.

7

A pesar del combate, no se logró un vencedor claro.

Despite the combat, a clear winner was not achieved.

Conjunction 'a pesar de'.

8

El combate contra el olvido es la misión de este museo.

The fight against forgetting is the mission of this museum.

Poetic/Abstract usage.

1

El combate existencial se manifiesta en cada una de sus obras.

The existential combat manifests in each of his works.

Philosophical usage.

2

La retórica del combate permea todo el discurso político actual.

The rhetoric of combat permeates all current political discourse.

Advanced vocabulary 'retórica', 'permea'.

3

El combate entre la tradición y la modernidad es inevitable.

The clash between tradition and modernity is inevitable.

Thematic contrast.

4

La película retrata el combate fratricida con crudeza.

The movie portrays the fratricidal combat with harshness.

Adjective 'fratricida' (brother against brother).

5

No es solo un combate físico, sino una pugna por el alma de la nación.

It is not just a physical fight, but a struggle for the soul of the nation.

Correlative conjunction 'no solo... sino'.

6

El combate a la desinformación es el mayor reto de la era digital.

The fight against disinformation is the greatest challenge of the digital age.

Contemporary social context.

7

La dialéctica hegeliana describe un combate constante de ideas.

Hegelian dialectic describes a constant combat of ideas.

Academic/Philosophical reference.

8

El cese definitivo de los combates es aún una quimera.

The definitive cessation of fighting is still a pipe dream.

Advanced word 'quimera'.

Collocations courantes

Entrar en combate
Fuera de combate
Combate cuerpo a cuerpo
Combate naval
Combate aéreo
Combate de boxeo
Cese del combate
Plan de combate
Combate contra el crimen
Combate frontal

Phrases Courantes

En pleno combate

— In the middle of the fight. Used to describe the height of the action.

El soldado perdió su radio en pleno combate.

Combate de titanes

— A clash of giants. Used for a match between two very powerful opponents.

La final de la Champions será un combate de titanes.

Poner fuera de combate

— To knock out or disable someone. Used in sports or general conflic

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