How to say "struggle" in Japanese

• もがくJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers the physical sense: to struggle by writhing, wriggling or squirming, as when trying to break free or flailing helplessly. It describes bodily movement, not a contest or hardship.
  その動物どうぶつは檻おりから出でようともがいた。↗

  The animal struggled to get out of the cage.
• 争奪そうだつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA noun for a struggle or contest over something that parties compete to win or possess; it names the contest itself, as in a struggle for something, rather than physical writhing.
• 暴れるあばれるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbFor struggling in the sense of acting violently — thrashing, raging or rampaging, as an unruly person or animal does. The emphasis falls on the violence itself rather than the effort to get free.
  少年しょうねんたちは２階かいでどたばた暴あばれていた。↗

  The boys were banging about upstairs.
• 苦戦くせんCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA hard fight or tight contest: struggling against strong opposition, being hard-pressed in a game, match or other competition. It names the difficult fight, not physical writhing.
• 取り合いとりあいCommon
  nounA scramble: people struggling or vying to get hold of the same thing. Use it when 'struggle' means a scramble for something, not a fight against hardship or an opponent.

Physical struggling splits between 「もがく」 (writhing, squirming to get free) and 「暴れる」 (thrashing violently); 争奪 and 「取り合い」 name struggles over something contested, while 苦戦 is a hard fight against tough opposition.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• もがくto struggle
• 争奪そうだつstruggle (for)
• 暴れるあばれるto act violently
• 苦戦くせんhard fight
• 取り合いとりあいscramble
• 争いあらそいfight
• 抗争こうそうrivalry
• 相克そうこくrivalry (between two irreconcilable forces)
• ストラグルstruggle
• もがきstruggle
• 揉み合いもみあいjostle
• 争闘そうとうstrife
• 争奪戦そうだつせんcontest
• 闘諍とうじょうfight
• 戦うたたかうto struggle (against adversities, etc.)
• 戦いたたかいfight (against time, poverty, etc.)
• 闘争とうそうstruggle (for rights, higher wages, etc.)
• あがくto struggle (using one's arms and legs)
• 喘ぐあえぐto suffer