esquiva

Esquiva is a term used in Portuguese, and less commonly in Spanish, to denote the act of dodging or evading an attack, obstacle, or question. It derives from the verb esquivar, meaning to dodge or evade. In everyday language it can describe evasive movements in sports or combat, as well as figurative avoidance in conversation or decision-making.

In martial arts and performance traditions, esquiva refers to a defensive maneuver designed to avoid a strike while maintaining balance and the opportunity to counterattack. In capoeira, a Brazilian martial art and cultural practice, esquiva is a core movement that allows a practitioner to dodge attacks through agile steps and body positioning, often transitioning into offensive actions. Common variants include esquiva lateral (side dodge) and esquiva de frente (front dodge).

Beyond capoeira, esquiva is used in fencing, boxing, and other combat disciplines to describe defensive footwork and postures that minimize exposure to blows. The term also appears in everyday discourse, where it can describe evasive behavior, for example, esquivar perguntas (dodging questions) in conversation or media interviews. The related adjective esquivo characterizes someone or something as evasive, and the verb esquivar is the action of dodging or evading.

In summary, esquiva encompasses both practical techniques for avoiding harm in physical contexts and broader notions of avoidance in language and strategy.