Spanish Military Vocabulary
Learn Spanish military vocabulary. This page contains a collection of words related to military topics translated from English to Spanish.
desarmar
disarm
The Spanish term 'desarmar' translates to 'disarm' in English. Used as a verb, 'desarmar' is often associated with taking the ammunition or weapons away from someone or something, rendering them non-threatening. Additionally, 'desarmar' can also refer to the act of taking something apart or dismantling it. Thus, understanding this term can offer insight into various contexts, whether they are related to security, technical work, or simply figurative language.
Example sentences with desarmar →desierto
desert
'Desierto' refers to a large, arid area with little to no vegetation, usually because of the low rainfall.
Example sentences with desierto →disparar
shoot
The Spanish word 'disparar' can be used similarly to the English word 'shoot'. It can refer to the act of firing a weapon, or be used metaphorically to instruct someone to begin speaking or acting. However, it does not translate to the photography term 'shoot', for which the Spanish term 'fotografiar' would be used.
Example sentences with disparar →ejército
army
The Spanish word for 'army' is 'ejército'. It is a masculine noun most commonly used in a general context to refer to a nation's permanent, professional land-based military force. Much like in English, it can also be used metaphorically, as in 'an army of supporters'.
Example sentences with ejército →ejército profesional
Professional army
The Spanish phrase 'ejército profesional' translates to 'professional army' in English. This refers to a military force that is fully committed to the profession of arms. They are full-time soldiers who are paid to serve in the armed forces, often considered as a permanent, professional military force. They are usually highly trained, specialized in their roles and often equipped with sophisticate military technology and weapons.
Example sentences with ejército profesional →enemigo
enemy
The Spanish word 'enemigo' translates to 'enemy' in English. An enemy is a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. In various contexts, this can refer to a person with whom one has a dispute or conflict, typically one who wishes to harm or defeat another, or to provide obstacles or problems to one's endeavours. The term can also be used in military contexts to refer to individuals or groups opposing one's own military forces.
enfrentarse a
face to face
The word 'enfrentarse a' is a Spanish verb that translates to 'to face' or 'to confront' in English. It suggests the action where one person or entity confronts or comes face to face with another person, concept, challenge, or situation. The use of this term could refer to a variety of contexts, but commonly used in circumstances of conflict, challenge, or adversity. Please note, it's not directly translated as 'face to face', which is 'cara a cara' in Spanish.
Example sentences with enfrentarse a →entregar las armas
deliver arms
The Spanish phrase 'entregar las armas' translates to 'deliver arms' in English. It's often used in the context of surrendering or giving up, particularly in a conflict or war scenario. It signifies the act of handing over weapons to another party, usually as a sign of defeat or to comply with rules or regulations. In a more figurative sense, it can also express giving up or admitting defeat in a struggle.
Example sentences with entregar las armas →entregarse
surrender
The word 'entregarse' in Spanish translates to 'surrender' in English. It is a verb that is commonly used to express the action of yielding one's own control or possession of something to another person or authority. It can also refer to the act of giving up or submitting oneself to an emotion or influence. This term has a wide range of use in various contexts such as in legal procedures, war or conflict situations, as well as in day-to-day life situations.
espada
sword
The Spanish word 'espada' translates to 'sword' in English. It is a weapon with a long, sharp metal blade and a handle, which was used in the past by soldiers to fight their enemies. It depicts power, valor and nobility. Often used in traditional ceremonies, sports like fencing, and metaphorically represents cutting through problems and barriers in literature.
Example sentences with espada →estar en guerra
to be at war
The Spanish phrase 'estar en guerra' is translated into English as 'to be at war'. This phrase is often used to depict a state of open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations, or a period of such conflict. It can also be used metaphorically to express a condition of rivalry, as in competition or conflict between persons, groups, or concepts.
Example sentences with estar en guerra →firmar la paz
sign peace
The phrase 'firmar la paz' in Spanish directly translates to 'sign peace' in English. This phrase is typically used in a figurative sense, meaning to establish a peaceful agreement or resolution after a conflict or a dispute. For example, after a long argument or disagreements, when two parties finally 'firmar la paz', they are essentially agreeing to let go of any hostility, and move forward in a peaceful manner.
Example sentences with firmar la paz →fusil
rifle
The Spanish word 'fusil' translates to 'rifle' in English. The term 'rifle' refers to a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, utilizing the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger.
Example sentences with fusil →general
General
The Spanish word 'general' has a direct translation in English, which is also 'general'. It is used in similar contexts in both languages. This word can be used as an adjective or as a noun. As an adjective, 'general' refers to something that affects or involves all or nearly all people or things. For instance, 'una guía general para el cuidado de las plantas' translates as 'a general guide for plant care'. As a noun, 'general' often refers to a high-ranking officer in the military, like 'el general del ejército', which translates as 'the army general'.
Example sentences with general →granada
grenade
The Spanish word 'granada' translates to 'grenade' in English. It is a noun often used in military context, referring to a small bomb that can be thrown by hand. However, it also can refer to a type of fruit with a hard shell and sweet, juicy seeds inside, similar to a pomegranate. In geographical context, it is the name of a city and a province in Andalusia, southern Spain. The context in which the word 'granada' is used typically determines its correct, intended translation.
Example sentences with granada →guerra
War
The Spanish word 'guerra' translates to 'war' in English. This word is often used in the context of conflict between nations or groups within a nation. It can be employed in various contexts, however, including in phrases and idioms. For instance, 'estar en guerra' means 'to be at war'. It represents a state of armed conflict or hostilities, and can be used metaphorically to describe intense disputes or competitions.
Example sentences with guerra →guerra atómica
Atomic war
The Spanish term 'guerra atómica' translates to 'atomic war' in English. An atomic war is characterized by the use of nuclear weapons, devastating in their potential to cause mass destruction, particularly in terms of their impact on environment, life and infrastructure. These wars are a pivotal topic of concern in modern international relations and disarmament dialogues.
Example sentences with guerra atómica →guerra biológica
Biological war
The term 'guerra biológica' translates to 'biological war' in English. A biological war refers to the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals, or plants as an act of war. Biological weapons (often termed as bio-weapons, biological threat agents, or bio-agents) are living organisms or replicating entities viruses, which are not universally considered 'alive'.
Example sentences with guerra biológica →guerra civil
Civil war
The Spanish term 'guerra civil' translates to 'civil war' in English. This usually refers to a war between organized groups within the same country or state. Such wars are often characterized by intense violence, social disruption, and economic destruction, often impacting civilians more than traditional wars. Countries usually go into civil war due to political, ethnic, religious, or socio-economic disagreements or issues.
Example sentences with guerra civil →guerra de guerrillas
guerrilla warfare
The term 'guerra de guerrillas' is a Spanish terminology that translates to 'guerrilla warfare' in English. It refers to a type of unconventional warfare and refers to small group actions conducted by a country's armed civilians. This is often initiated against an invading or occupying force, with an aim to cause disruption and damage through ambushes, sabotage, raids and elements of surprise. The purpose of guerrilla warfare is usually to disrupt the enemy's activities, bring about substantial losses and drain their resources.
Example sentences with guerra de guerrillas →guerra de independencia
war of independence
The phrase 'guerra de independencia' in Spanish translates to 'war of independence' in English. This term is widely used in history and signifies a conflict in which an entity, often a country or a nation, fights to gain independence from the controlling power. Throughout history, many countries around the world have experienced such wars in their quest for freedom and sovereignty. 'Guerra de independencia' underscore the concepts of struggle, liberty, and nationalism.
Example sentences with guerra de independencia →guerra fría
Cold war
The term 'guerra fría' in Spanish translates to 'cold war' in English. This phrase is often used historically to refer to the political tension and military rivalry between nations that stopped short of full-scale war, especially that which developed between the United States and Soviet Union and their respective allies after World War II. It can also be used metaphorically to refer to a state of constant conflict or competition between two parties which never escalates into direct confrontation.
Example sentences with guerra fría →guerra mundial
World War
The Spanish term 'guerra mundial' translates to 'world war' in English. This phrase is typically used in a historical context, referring to significant military conflicts that involved many of the world's countries, namely World War I and World War II.
Example sentences with guerra mundial →guerra santa
holy war
The term 'guerra santa' in Spanish translates to 'holy war' in English. Derived from the religious context, a holy war is often declared in the name of a god or a religious figure. It involves a conflict or a war fought by religious entities or groups, who consider it a duty or a divine command. This phrase is used across various contexts in literature, history, and dialogues, usually tied to religious motivations or justifications for a military conflict.
Example sentences with guerra santa →helicóptero
helicopter
A helicopter is a type of aircraft that uses rotating wings, called rotors, to fly. It can take off and land vertically, which makes it versatile and very useful, especially in emergencies and difficult terrains where a regular plane cannot function.
Example sentences with helicóptero →invadir
invade
'Invadir' is a transitive verb in Spanish language that translates to 'invade' in English. It comes from the Latin word 'invadere', where 'in' means 'into' and 'vadere' means 'go'. 'Invadir' is used to express the action of entering forcibly or hostilely into a place or territory, usually in the context of military or geopolitical situations. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where something spreads or overwhelms something else, like a feeling or an idea.
Example sentences with invadir →invasión
invasion
The Spanish word 'invasión' translates to 'invasion' in English. It is a noun term often used to describe an instance where an army or a large number of people suddenly enter and start to control a region. It can also refer to the arrival of a large number of people or things at the same time, often causing problems. Furthermore, it may also denote the act of entering a place in large numbers, especially when unwanted and in a manner causing damage or discomfort.
Example sentences with invasión →levantamiento
Uprising
The word 'levantamiento' in Spanish translates into 'uprising' in English. This term is commonly used in historical or political contexts to refer to a rebellion or revolt wherein a group rises in opposition against an established governing body or authority. The use of 'levantamiento' suggests a powerful collective action intended to bring about significant change, often through dramatic or forceful means.
Example sentences with levantamiento →lucha
fight
The Spanish word 'lucha' translates to 'fight' in English. It is primarily used to denote a struggle or a conflict. 'Lucha' can refer to a physical fight, such as a boxing match, or it can be metaphorical, as in a fight or struggle for rights or justice. Use it in the same manner as you would use 'fight' in English.
Example sentences with lucha →matar
kill
The Spanish word 'matar' translates to 'kill' in English. It is a verb and is used in various contexts similar to English, for instance, 'Quiero matar el tiempo' (I want to kill time) or 'El cazador mató al ciervo' (The hunter killed the deer). Remember, as with all verbs, the precise form of 'matar' can change with tense and subject.
Example sentences with matar →