Struggle implies a difficult and often painful effort to overcome obstacles.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To struggle against difficulty or danger.
- To make a great effort to get free.
- Can be physical or emotional.
Overview
“挣扎”这个词生动地描绘了一个人在面对困境时的努力和不屈。它既可以指物理上的用力反抗，也可以指心理上的痛苦和纠结。在日常生活中，我们经常用这个词来形容一个人在逆境中的坚持和奋斗。
“挣扎”常常与表示困难、危险或痛苦的词语连用。例如，一个人可能在困境中挣扎，或者在失败的边缘挣扎。它也可以用来描述一种持续的、不轻松的状态，比如在学习新知识时感到挣扎。
这个词经常出现在描述个人奋斗、克服困难、或者在紧张局势下求生的语境中。例如，新闻报道中可能会提到“在洪水中挣扎求生”；在谈论学业时，可能会说“我对这个数学题感到挣扎”。
与“奋斗”相比，“挣扎”更侧重于在困难中求生或摆脱困境的艰难过程，带有更多的痛苦和不确定性。而“奋斗”则更强调积极向上、努力追求目标的过程。“努力”则是一个更普遍的词，可以指任何形式的付出，不一定包含“挣扎”的困境感。
Examples
小鱼在水中拼命挣扎，想要逃脱渔网。
everydayThe little fish struggled desperately in the water, trying to escape the net.
面对如此复杂的局面，他感到无所适从，内心充满了挣扎。
formalFacing such a complex situation, he felt lost, his heart filled with inner turmoil.
哎呀，这道题太难了，我在这儿挣扎了好久。
informalOh man, this problem is too difficult, I've been struggling with it for a long time.
该研究旨在探讨个体在面对社会经济压力时的心理挣扎。
academicThis study aims to explore the psychological struggles individuals face when confronted with socioeconomic pressures.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
挣扎求生
Struggle for survival
在困境中挣扎
Struggle in adversity
内心挣扎
Inner turmoil/struggle
Often Confused With
'挣扎' emphasizes the difficulty and pain of overcoming obstacles, often implying a desperate effort. '奋斗' is more about striving towards a goal, often with a positive and determined attitude, and doesn't necessarily imply extreme difficulty or pain.
'努力' is a general term for making an effort. '挣扎' specifically refers to a difficult, often painful, effort to escape or overcome something challenging.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '挣扎' carries a strong sense of difficulty and often implies a negative or challenging situation. While it can describe physical actions, it's frequently used metaphorically for emotional or mental turmoil. Be mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly dramatic if the situation isn't severe.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse '挣扎' for situations that only require mild effort. It's important to reserve it for contexts where there's a clear sense of difficulty, distress, or a fight against adverse circumstances. Ensure the context supports the intensity of the word.
Tips
Visualize the effort
Imagine someone physically fighting against ropes or a strong current. This helps understand the core meaning of 'struggle'.
Don't confuse with easy effort
'挣扎' implies significant difficulty. Using it for minor inconveniences might sound exaggerated.
Resilience in struggle
In Chinese culture, overcoming hardship ('挣扎') and persevering is often admired, showcasing inner strength.
Word Origin
The character '挣' (zhēng) originally depicted a person pulling hard on a rope. '扎' (zhā) means to tie or prick. Together, '挣扎' vividly portrays the physical act of straining and trying to break free from restraints or difficulties.
Cultural Context
In many cultures, including Chinese, the act of '挣扎' against adversity is often seen as a test of character. Stories of individuals overcoming immense hardship through sheer will ('挣扎') are common and inspire resilience.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone 'zheng zheng' (正正) trying to get out of mud, 'zhengzheng' (挣挣) their legs. The sound 'zheng' repeated evokes the effortful, repeated movements of struggling.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions挣扎更强调在困境中的艰难和痛苦，侧重于摆脱不利局面。奋斗则更积极，指为实现目标而努力的过程，不一定充满痛苦。
可以用在描述身体上的困境，比如被困住时；也可以用在描述心理上的困难，比如面对选择或压力时感到纠结。
它本身带有一定的消极意味，因为它描述的是困境。但一个人在挣扎中展现出的不放弃的精神，可以被看作是积极的。
有的，比如“尝试”或“努力”，它们不一定包含“挣扎”所描述的那么强烈的困难和痛苦。
Test Yourself
他被困在水里，拼命地______。
“挣扎”表示在危险中用力反抗或求生，符合语境。
下列哪个选项最接近“挣扎”的意思？
“挣扎”的核心含义是在困难中用力反抗和摆脱。
组建句子：学习 / 新知识 / 我 / 感到 / 有点 / 挣扎
选项c结构完整，清晰地表达了在学习新知识过程中遇到的困难。
Score: /3
Summary
Struggle implies a difficult and often painful effort to overcome obstacles.
- To struggle against difficulty or danger.
- To make a great effort to get free.
- Can be physical or emotional.
Visualize the effort
Imagine someone physically fighting against ropes or a strong current. This helps understand the core meaning of 'struggle'.
Don't confuse with easy effort
'挣扎' implies significant difficulty. Using it for minor inconveniences might sound exaggerated.
Resilience in struggle
In Chinese culture, overcoming hardship ('挣扎') and persevering is often admired, showcasing inner strength.
Examples
4 of 4小鱼在水中拼命挣扎，想要逃脱渔网。
The little fish struggled desperately in the water, trying to escape the net.
面对如此复杂的局面，他感到无所适从，内心充满了挣扎。
Facing such a complex situation, he felt lost, his heart filled with inner turmoil.
哎呀，这道题太难了，我在这儿挣扎了好久。
Oh man, this problem is too difficult, I've been struggling with it for a long time.
该研究旨在探讨个体在面对社会经济压力时的心理挣扎。
This study aims to explore the psychological struggles individuals face when confronted with socioeconomic pressures.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
