luta

Luta is a noun in Portuguese that translates to fight, battle, or struggle in English. It is used to describe both physical combat and non-physical endeavors, such as a struggle for rights, resources, or improvement. The related verb lutar means to fight or to strive, as in lutar por liberdade (to fight for freedom) or lutar contra a fome (to fight against hunger).

In sports and martial arts, luta often denotes a bout or the sport itself. For example, luta de boxe refers to a boxing match, while luta olímpica refers to wrestling in the Olympic sense (greco-roman and freestyle). In Brazilian Portuguese, the term is common in everyday language as well as in sport nomenclature, and it appears in compound phrases like luta pela paz or luta contra a pobreza to describe ongoing campaigns or efforts.

The word is widely used across Portuguese-speaking countries, including Portugal, Brazil, and several African nations, and it appears in literature, journalism, and political discourse to convey conflict, competition, or collective effort. While its primary sense is physical fighting, luta is equally applicable to metaphorical struggles such as social movements, personal challenges, and competitive pursuits.