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B1 verb 9 min de leitura

воевать

To engage in a war

At the A1 level, you should know that 'воевать' means 'to fight a war.' It is a difficult word for beginners because of its conjugation (я воюю, ты воюешь). You might see it in simple sentences about history, such as 'Мой дедушка воевал' (My grandfather was a soldier/fought in the war). At this stage, focus on the basic meaning: a big fight with soldiers and guns. You don't need to worry about the metaphorical meanings yet. Just remember it is a verb about war. It is related to the word 'война' (war). If you see a picture of a soldier, 'воевать' is the action they are doing. Always try to remember the present tense 'я воюю' because it is very different from the infinitive 'воевать.'
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'воевать' with simple prepositions. The most important one is 'с' (with/against). For example, 'Он воевал с врагом' (He fought with the enemy). You should also know 'за' (for), as in 'воевать за свою страну' (to fight for one's country). At this level, you might hear the word in movies or stories about the past. You should be able to conjugate it in the past tense: воевал, воевала, воевали. This is easier than the present tense because it follows the regular pattern. You should also recognize that it's an imperfective verb, so it describes a long process or a state of being at war, not just one single punch or hit.
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At the B1 level, you should understand both the literal and metaphorical uses of 'воевать.' You can use it to describe persistent problems or struggles. For example, 'Я воюю с этим компьютером' (I am fighting/struggling with this computer). You should be comfortable with the conjugation shifts (ова -> у) and the case requirements (с + Instrumental, за + Accusative, против + Genitive). You should also distinguish 'воевать' from 'драться' (to brawl) and 'бороться' (to struggle). At B1, you are expected to understand news reports that use 'воевать' to describe international conflicts. You should also be aware of the noun 'война' and the adjective 'военный' as part of the same word family.
At the B2 level, you should use 'воевать' with nuance. You understand that 'воевать с кем-то' implies a sustained conflict, often involving strategy or a series of events. You can use it in professional contexts, like 'воевать за рынок' (fighting for the market) in business. You should also be familiar with related perfective verbs like 'завоевать' (to conquer/win over) and 'отвоевать' (to win back). You can discuss historical events in detail using this verb and understand more complex grammatical structures, like the active participle 'воюющий' (warring). You should be able to identify the difference in tone between 'воевать' (grit, process) and 'сражаться' (heroic, specific battle).
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At the C1 level, you should have a deep grasp of the idiomatic and stylistic uses of 'воевать.' This includes phrases like 'воевать с ветряными мельницами' (fighting windmills/tilting at windmills) to describe a futile struggle. You should be able to appreciate the word's use in high literature and poetry, where it might symbolize an existential struggle. Your use of the verb should be precise, choosing it over synonyms to convey specific connotations of duration and organized conflict. You should also be familiar with the historical and cultural baggage the word carries in Russia, particularly regarding the Great Patriotic War, and how this influences modern political rhetoric.
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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for 'воевать.' You can use it in any register, from highly technical military analysis to ironic slang. You understand its etymological roots and its relationship to archaic terms. You can manipulate the verb and its many prefixed forms (перевоевать, навоеваться, повоевать) to express subtle shades of meaning, such as 'to have fought enough' or 'to fight for a short while.' You are aware of how the word has evolved in the digital age (e.g., 'воевать' in online forums or gaming). You can analyze the word's role in shaping national identity and use it to construct sophisticated arguments about history, society, and human nature.
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Exemplos

воевать em 30 segundos

  • Воевать is an imperfective verb meaning 'to be at war' or 'to fight' in a large-scale military or metaphorical sense.
  • It conjugates with a root shift in the present tense: я воюю, ты воюешь, они воюют (the 'ева' becomes 'у').
  • It is usually followed by 'с' (with/against) + Instrumental, 'против' (against) + Genitive, or 'за' (for) + Accusative.
  • Culturally significant in Russia, it often refers to historical military service but is also used for persistent personal struggles.

The Russian verb воевать is a fundamental term that translates primarily as 'to engage in war' or 'to be at war.' Unlike the English verb 'to fight,' which can cover everything from a playground scuffle to a boxing match, воевать specifically implies the large-scale, organized, and often prolonged state of military conflict. It is an imperfective verb, meaning it focuses on the process, the duration, or the habitual action of being a combatant. When a Russian speaker says someone 'воевал,' they are usually referring to a veteran's service in a significant historical conflict, most notably the Great Patriotic War (World War II). However, the word's utility extends far beyond the battlefield into metaphorical territories where one struggles against abstract forces, societal norms, or even personal clutter.

Military Context
In its most literal sense, it describes the actions of soldiers, armies, or nations. It is used to describe the act of serving at the front or participating in a campaign. For example, 'Мой дед воевал под Сталинградом' (My grandfather fought at Stalingrad).
Metaphorical Struggle
It is frequently used to describe a persistent struggle against something difficult or annoying. You might 'воевать' with a stubborn computer, a complicated bureaucracy, or even your own bad habits. It suggests a high level of effort and frustration.
Interpersonal Conflict
When used between neighbors or family members, it implies a long-standing feud rather than a single argument. If two neighbors are 'воюют,' they are likely involved in a series of retaliatory actions over a fence or noise.

Солдаты продолжали воевать даже в самых тяжелых условиях зимы.

The word carries a weight of history in Russia. Because of the country's extensive military history, 'воевать' is often spoken with a sense of gravity or respect when referring to ancestors. However, in modern slang, it can be used ironically. A student might say they are 'воевать с учебником' (fighting with a textbook) to emphasize how difficult the material is. It is important to distinguish this from 'драться' (to physically hit someone) or 'бороться' ( to wrestle or struggle for a cause). 'Воевать' implies a state of 'война' (war), requiring strategy, persistence, and often, an 'enemy' (враг).

Хватит воевать с соседями из-за парковки, пора договориться.

Он всю жизнь воевал за справедливость в судах.

Мы не хотим воевать, мы хотим торговать.

Трудно воевать на два фронта одновременно.

Using воевать correctly requires understanding its grammatical governance (rections). The verb is intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object in the accusative case without a preposition. Instead, it relies on specific prepositions to define who you are fighting with, against, or for. Mastering these patterns is crucial for B1 learners who want to move beyond simple subject-verb structures.

Pattern 1: Воевать с + Instrumental Case
This means to fight 'with' or 'against' an enemy. Unlike English where 'with' can mean 'alongside,' in Russian military contexts, 'с' almost always indicates the opponent. Example: 'Россия воевала с Наполеоном' (Russia fought [against] Napoleon).
Pattern 2: Воевать против + Genitive Case
This is a more formal and explicit way to say 'against.' It is common in political or historical discourse. Example: 'Они воевали против диктатуры' (They fought against the dictatorship).
Pattern 3: Воевать за + Accusative Case
This indicates the cause or the objective. What are you fighting for? Example: 'Воевать за свободу' (To fight for freedom) or 'Воевать за правое дело' (To fight for a just cause).

The conjugation of воевать follows the -овать pattern, which means the '-ова-' suffix changes to '-у-' in the present tense. This is a common stumbling block for learners. You must say 'я воюю' (I fight), not 'я воеваю.' This shift occurs across all persons and numbers in the present and future tenses. In the past tense, however, the '-ова-' remains: 'он воевал,' 'она воевала.'

Почему ты постоянно воюешь со своей сестрой?

Нам не нужно воевать друг с другом, чтобы решить эту проблему.

В те годы многие страны воевали за колонии.

Я не хочу воевать с этой системой, я хочу её изменить.

Additionally, pay attention to the location. You 'воевать' на (on) a front or в (in) a country. 'Он воевал на Первом Украинском фронте.' The word also appears in the passive-like construction 'воюющий,' which means 'warring' or 'at war.' For example, 'воюющие стороны' (the warring parties). This is very common in news reports regarding international conflicts or civil wars.

In Russia, the word воевать is ubiquitous because of the cultural emphasis on military history and the 'Victory Day' celebrations. You will hear it in various contexts, ranging from the highly formal to the domestic and mundane. Understanding these settings helps in grasping the emotional weight the word carries.

Historical Documentaries and Books
Russian media is saturated with content about WWII (The Great Patriotic War). Phrases like 'наши деды воевали' (our grandfathers fought) are cultural touchstones used to evoke national pride and sacrifice.
News and Geopolitics
In reports on global conflicts, news anchors use 'воевать' to describe nations in active combat. You'll hear phrases like 'продолжают воевать' (continue to fight) or 'отказываются воевать' (refuse to fight).
Domestic Life and Relationships
Parents might say to their children, 'Хватит воевать!' when they are bickering. It's a way of telling them to stop their constant conflict. Similarly, a wife might say her husband is 'воевать с краном' (fighting with the tap) if he's struggling to fix a leak.

В фильмах о войне часто показывают, как трудно было воевать в лесах.

Another frequent place is in literature. From Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' to modern thrillers, the verb is used to describe the internal and external struggles of characters. In Russian poetry, 'воевать' often takes on a romanticized or tragic tone, symbolizing the struggle against fate or unrequited love. In the business world, it's used to describe aggressive competition: 'Мы воюем за каждого клиента' (We are fighting for every client).

Он не хотел воевать, но у него не было выбора.

Мирные жители всегда страдают, когда политики начинают воевать.

Finally, in sports commentary, while 'бороться' is more common for the physical act, 'воевать' can be used to describe a team's spirit in a 'war-like' match where the stakes are high and the play is aggressive. It emphasizes the grit and determination of the players.

Russian learners often encounter pitfalls with воевать due to its specific conjugation and its semantic overlap with other 'fighting' verbs. Avoiding these errors will make your Russian sound much more natural and precise.

Mistake 1: Incorrect Conjugation
The most common error is keeping the '-ева-' in the present tense. Learners often say 'я воеваю' or 'они воевают' (incorrectly pronounced). Remember: воевать -> воюю, воюешь, воюет, воюем, воюете, воюют. The suffix disappears and is replaced by 'ю'.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Воевать' with 'Драться'
'Драться' is used for physical brawls, punching, or hitting. If two people have a fistfight in a bar, they are 'дерутся.' If they are 'воюют,' they are likely using weapons or are part of a larger, long-term conflict. Don't use 'воевать' for a simple physical fight.
Mistake 3: Confusing 'Воевать' with 'Бороться'
'Бороться' is 'to struggle' or 'to wrestle.' Use 'бороться' for sports (wrestling), for social causes (fighting for rights), or internal struggles (fighting temptation). 'Воевать' is much more aggressive and military-focused.

Incorrect: Мы воевали на ринге. Correct: Мы боксировали (or дрались) на ринге.

Another mistake involves the preposition 'с'. In English, 'fighting with someone' can mean you are on the same side (allies). In Russian, 'воевать с кем-то' almost always means that person is your enemy. If you want to say you are fighting alongside an ally, you should use 'вместе с' (together with) or 'на стороне' (on the side of). For example, 'Франция воевала на стороне Англии' (France fought on the side of England).

Incorrect: Я воеваю за хлебом в очереди. Correct: Я стою в очереди за хлебом (unless it's a very violent queue!).

Lastly, be careful with the aspect. Since 'воевать' is imperfective, it describes the state. If you mean 'to start a war,' use 'развязать войну' or 'начать воевать.' If you mean 'to finish fighting,' use 'отвоевать' or 'закончить воевать.'

To enrich your Russian vocabulary, it's helpful to know words that are similar to воевать but carry different nuances. Choosing the right word can change the tone from a gritty news report to a heroic epic.

Сражаться (Srazhat'sya)
This word is more elevated and often refers to a specific battle (сражение) rather than the whole war. It has a heroic or formal connotation. You 'сражаетесь' for honor or in a decisive battle.
Биться (Bit'sya)
This implies a fierce, desperate, or very physical struggle. It literally means 'to beat/strike.' It's often used in the context of 'биться до последнего' (to fight to the last man).
Бороться (Borot'sya)
As mentioned before, this is 'to struggle.' It is the best word for political movements, sports, or internal dilemmas. 'Бороться за мир' (to fight/struggle for peace) is a classic phrase.
Конфликтовать (Konfliktovat')
A more clinical, sociological term meaning 'to be in conflict.' It's used in professional or psychological contexts to describe parties that don't get along.

Comparison:
- Они воюют (They are at war).
- Они сражаются (They are fighting a battle).
- Они борются (They are struggling for a cause).

When discussing the act of conquering, use 'завоевывать' (imperfective) or 'завоевать' (perfective). If you are talking about winning something back through war, use 'отвоевывать' / 'отвоевать.' These prefixed versions are very common in history and strategy games.

Рыцари сражались на мечах, а современные армии воюют с помощью технологий.

In poetic or archaic Russian, you might encounter 'ратовать,' which means to strongly advocate or fight for something with words or spirit. While rare in daily speech, it shows the depth of the Russian 'struggle' vocabulary.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /və.je.ˈvatʲ/
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Exemplos por nível

1

Солдаты воюют.

Soldiers are fighting (a war).

3rd person plural present tense.

2

Он хочет воевать.

He wants to fight (in a war).

Infinitive after 'хочет'.

3

Они не воюют сейчас.

They are not fighting now.

Negative 'не' before the verb.

4

Мой дедушка воевал.

My grandfather fought (in the war).

Past tense masculine.

5

Кто воюет там?

Who is fighting there?

Question word 'кто' with 3rd person singular.

6

Мы не любим воевать.

We don't like to fight (war).

1st person plural present.

7

Где они воевали?

Where did they fight?

Past tense plural.

8

Трудно воевать зимой.

It is hard to fight in winter.

Adverb 'трудно' with infinitive.

1

Он воевал с врагом три года.

He fought with the enemy for three years.

Instrumental case 'с врагом'.

2

За что они воюют?

What are they fighting for?

Preposition 'за' + accusative.

3

Она воевала за свободу.

She fought for freedom.

Past tense feminine.

4

Страны воюют друг с другом.

Countries are fighting with each other.

Reciprocal 'друг с другом'.

5

Мой отец воевал на фронте.

My father fought at the front.

Preposition 'на' + locative case.

6

Ты воюешь за правду?

Are you fighting for the truth?

2nd person singular present.

7

Мы воюем за нашу землю.

We are fighting for our land.

Possessive pronoun 'нашу' in accusative.

8

Они воевали против короля.

They fought against the king.

Preposition 'против' + genitive.

1

Я постоянно воюю с этим старым принтером.

I am constantly fighting with this old printer.

Metaphorical use of 'воевать'.

2

Хватит воевать с сестрой из-за пустяков!

Stop fighting with your sister over trifles!

Imperative-like infinitive construction.

3

Он воевал в Афганистане в восьмидесятых.

He fought in Afghanistan in the eighties.

Preposition 'в' for location.

4

Нам пришлось воевать за свои права в суде.

We had to fight for our rights in court.

Dative subject 'нам' with 'пришлось'.

5

Почему ты воюешь против всех моих идей?

Why are you fighting against all my ideas?

Metaphorical use with 'против'.

6

Они воюют уже десять лет без перерыва.

They have been fighting for ten years without a break.

Imperfective emphasizing duration.

7

Мой прадед воевал в кавалерии.

My great-grandfather fought in the cavalry.

Specific military branch context.

8

Трудно воевать на два фронта в жизни.

It's hard to fight on two fronts in life.

Idiomatic expression 'на два фронта'.

1

Воюющие стороны согласились на перемирие.

The warring parties agreed to a truce.

Present active participle 'воюющие'.

2

Компания воюет за лидерство на рынке.

The company is fighting for market leadership.

Business context.

3

Он всю жизнь воевал с несправедливостью.

He fought against injustice his whole life.

Abstract concept as 'enemy'.

4

Не стоит воевать с ветряными мельницами.

It's not worth tilting at windmills.

Idiomatic expression.

5

Они воюют не за деньги, а за идею.

They are fighting not for money, but for an idea.

Contrast 'не... а...'.

6

Как долго они собираются воевать?

How long do they intend to fight?

Future intent with 'собираются'.

7

Он воевал на стороне повстанцев.

He fought on the side of the rebels.

Phrase 'на стороне' + genitive.

8

Вы воюете с тенями прошлого.

You are fighting with the shadows of the past.

Poetic/Metaphorical use.

1

Интеллектуалы воюют словами, а не оружием.

Intellectuals fight with words, not weapons.

Instrumental 'словами' as a tool.

2

Он воевал в тени, выполняя секретные задания.

He fought in the shadows, performing secret missions.

Metaphorical 'в тени'.

3

Нам нельзя воевать с самой природой.

We must not fight against nature itself.

Reflexive-like 'нельзя' + infinitive.

4

Этот народ воевал за свою идентичность веками.

This nation has fought for its identity for centuries.

Emphasis on historical duration.

5

Она воюет со своими внутренними демонами.

She is fighting with her inner demons.

Psychological context.

6

Политики воюют за голоса избирателей.

Politicians are fighting for voters' votes.

Political competition.

7

В этой книге герои воюют против судьбы.

In this book, the heroes fight against fate.

Literary theme.

8

Мы воюем с хаосом, пытаясь навести порядок.

We are fighting chaos, trying to bring order.

Abstract struggle.

1

Воевать — значит обрекать себя на вечный поиск покоя.

To fight means to condemn oneself to an eternal search for peace.

Infinitive as a subject.

2

Он воевал под знамёнами забытой империи.

He fought under the banners of a forgotten empire.

Archaic/Formal 'под знамёнами'.

3

Трудно воевать, когда не веришь в правоту дела.

It is hard to fight when you don't believe in the rightness of the cause.

Conditional 'когда'.

4

Они воюют на поле смыслов и интерпретаций.

They are fighting on the field of meanings and interpretations.

Philosophical context.

5

Не воевать бы нам, если бы мир был мудрее.

We wouldn't have to fight if the world were wiser.

Subjunctive mood with 'бы'.

6

Он воевал не мечом, а пером, обличая пороки.

He fought not with a sword, but with a pen, exposing vices.

Metaphorical contrast.

7

Воевать с государством — задача не из легких.

Fighting against the state is no easy task.

Political/Legal struggle.

8

Старик всё ещё воевал в своих снах.

The old man was still fighting in his dreams.

Psychological/PTSD context.

Colocações comuns

воевать на фронте
воевать за свободу
воевать с врагом
воевать против системы
воевать до победы
воевать на два фронта
воевать с собой
воевать за ресурсы
воевать с беспорядком
воевать в одиночку

Frases Comuns

воевать не числом, а умением

воевать с ветряными мельницами

воевать на чужой территории

есть с кем воевать

не умеешь воевать — не берись

воевать за правое дело

воевать до последней капли крови

воевать открыто

воевать в открытом поле

воевать исподтишка

Expressões idiomáticas

"воевать с ветряными мельницами"

Engaging in a futile or delusional struggle against imaginary foes.

Он тратит свою жизнь на то, чтобы воевать с ветряными мельницами.

literary

"воевать на два фронта"

Dealing with two difficult situations or opponents at the same time.

Мне приходится воевать на два фронта: и на работе, и дома.

neutral

"воевать за место под солнцем"

Struggling to achieve a good position in life or society.

В большом городе каждому приходится воевать за место под солнцем.

journalistic

"воевать с самим собой"

Internal conflict or struggling with one's own character.

Он долго воевал с самим собой, прежде чем признаться.

psychological

"воевать чужими руками"

To make others do the fighting/work for you.

Этот политик любит воевать чужими руками.

political

"воевать до победного конца"

To fight until the very end/victory.

Мы настроены воевать до победного конца.

formal

"воевать с тенью"

To fight a shadow (a non-existent or irrelevant enemy).

Твои подозрения беспочвенны, ты воюешь с тенью.

metaphorical

"на войне как на войне"

In war, as in war (things are tough/unpredictable).

Придётся потерпеть неудобства, на войне как на войне.

idiomatic

"воевать по правилам"

To fight according to the rules (fairly).

В бизнесе не всегда получается воевать по правилам.

neutral

"один в поле не воин"

One man in the field is not a warrior (you can't win alone).

Тебе нужна команда, ведь один в поле не воин.

proverb
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