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
藻掻く
もがく (mogaku)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "struggle" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 奮闘 and 藻掻く.
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, 藻掻く (もがく (mogaku)) maps to "to struggle, writhe, flounder" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Describes making desperate efforts to escape a difficult situation or physical restraint. Can be used literally. 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 "藻掻く"
溺れないように、必死にもがいた。
I struggled desperately not to drown.
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.". "藻掻く" represents "to struggle, writhe, flounder".