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
鬩ぎ合い
鬩ぎ合い(せめぎあい)
C2PLUS / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "struggle" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 奮闘 and 鬩ぎ合い.
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, 鬩ぎ合い (鬩ぎ合い(せめぎあい)) maps to "struggle, rivalry, contest" (Syllabus Level: C2PLUS) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus.. 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 "鬩ぎ合い"
これはとても鬩ぎ合いですね。
This is very struggle, rivalry, contest, isn't it?
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.". "鬩ぎ合い" represents "struggle, rivalry, contest".