Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Struggle" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "struggle", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
奮闘
ふんとう (funtō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
抗争
こうそう (kōsō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "struggle" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 奮闘 and 抗争.
In Japanese, 奮闘 (ふんとう (funtō)) is typically associated with "struggle; hard fight; strenuous effort" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to struggling hard, putting up a brave fight, or making strenuous efforts against a difficult task or situation. Can be used with する as a verb.
On the other hand, 抗争 (こうそう (kōsō)) maps to "struggle; conflict; war; combat; battle for supremacy" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to a fierce struggle, conflict, war, or battle for supremacy/territory between organizations, factions, or countries. Often used as 派閥抗争 or 抗争を繰り返す. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Struggle! War! Stop waging a mental battle against my supreme tsundere love with silly reason! Submit obediently and jump into my chest!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『こうそう（抗争）！私のこの最高峰のツンデレ愛の猛攻に対して、変な理性で抗争（反抗）するのをやめなさい！素直に私の胸に飛び込んできて、無条件降伏しなさい！』. A literal translation of "struggle" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "奮闘"
新しいプロジェクトの成功に向けて、チームのメンバー全員が日々_______しています。
Towards the success of the new project, all team members are struggling hard day by day.
Bilingual Context for "抗争"
裏社会の権力争いに伴い、二つの巨大組織の間で武力_______が激化し、一般市民にも警戒が呼びかけられました。
With the power struggle in the underworld, the armed conflict between the two huge organizations intensified, and warning was issued even to general citizens.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "新しいプロジェクトの成功に向けて、チームのメンバー全員が日々_______しています。" (Meaning: "Towards the success of the new project, all team members are struggling hard day by day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "奮闘" fits here because it means "struggle; hard fight; strenuous effort" in the context of: "Towards the success of the new project, all team members are struggling hard day by day.". "抗争" represents "struggle; conflict; war; combat; battle for supremacy".