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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "to struggle" with 挣扎 (zhēngzhá)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 挣扎

    Explanation

    The verb 挣扎 (zhēngzhá) means "to struggle," describing physical or emotional resistance against a difficult situation. It often conveys a sense of desperation or effort to break free from something constraining. You might say 他在挣扎 to mean "he is struggling."

    Examples

    • 那条鱼在网里拼命挣扎。

      Nà tiáo yú zài wǎng lǐ pīnmìng zhēngzhá.

      The fish struggled desperately in the net.

    • 她在梦中挣扎着想要醒来。

      Tā zài mèng zhōng zhēngzhá zhe xiǎng yào xǐng lái.

      She struggled in her dream, trying to wake up.

    • 他在贫困中挣扎了好多年。

      Tā zài pínkùn zhōng zhēngzhá le hǎo duō nián.

      He struggled in poverty for many years.

    Expressing "to struggle" with 挣扎 (zhēngzhá) | Chinese Grammar