marcha

Marcha is a term used in several Romance languages, notably Spanish and Portuguese, to denote a march or the act of moving forward. It can refer to a procession or demonstration, a piece of music written to accompany marching, or the way a person walks. In medical and athletic contexts, marcha describes gait, the manner of walking, which is assessed for rhythm, balance, and stride.

In music, a marcha is a march, a genre characterized by a regular, upbeat rhythm and a tempo that supports marching. Traditional marches are usually in duple meter (2/4 or 4/4) with a steady tempo and pronounced downbeats. They commonly feature brass and percussion and may have a recurring main strain followed by a contrasting middle section. Subtypes include military marches, funeral marches (marcha fúnebre), and bridal marches (marcha nupcial) in Spanish-speaking contexts.

In clinical terms, marcha refers to gait, the pattern and speed of walking. Clinicians evaluate marcha to detect abnormalities such as altered tempo, asymmetry, or ataxia, and to monitor progress in rehabilitation after injury or neurological disease.

As a social and cultural term, marcha also denotes a public march or parade, including political demonstrations, ceremonial processions, or national celebrations. Military organizations use marches to coordinate movement and morale, while civilians employ marches as expressions of advocacy or solidarity.

See also: march, marcha fúnebre, marcha nupcial.