huelga

/ˈwɛl.ɣa/
nounIntermediate
formal

A collective work stoppage by employees to protest against working conditions or demand better terms from employers.

La huelga general paralizó el transporte público en la ciudad.

The general strike paralyzed public transportation in the city.

💡

In Spain, huelgas are legally protected under labor laws, but they must be called by a union or worker representatives.

Collocations

hacer una huelgato go on strikehuelga generalgeneral strikehuelga de hambrehunger strike

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

huelga de brazos caídosphrase
work-to-rule (slowdown strike)
huelga salvajephrase
wildcat strike (unauthorized strike)

💡Pro Tip

Legal Context

In Spain, 'huelga' is a legally recognized form of protest with specific regulations.

📖Word Origin

From Old Spanish 'fuelga', from Frankish '*falkō' (to strike), related to Old High German 'falchōn' (to strike).

📝Usage Notes

In Spanish, 'huelga' is always feminine. In some Latin American countries, 'paro' is more commonly used.

Diccionario Español-Inglés