Skip to content

挣扎

zhēng zhá
HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Common

Definitions

  1. 1. to struggle

Stop forgetting what you study. Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial · $49.99 / year

Sign up with Google
Continue with Email
Try a practice session

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
顺从
shùn cóng

obedient

yield or comply instead of struggling

Related words

2 items
反抗
fǎn kàng

to resist

often follows or accompanies struggling
斗争
dòu zhēng

a struggle

broader term for conflict

Synonyms

1 item
搏斗
bó dòu

to wrestle; to fight; to struggle

physical or metaphorical struggle

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with 苦苦 or 拼命 to intensify, as in 苦苦挣扎 (struggle desperately).

Common mistakes

挣扎 is often used for desperate physical or emotional struggles, not for casual effort or striving.

Example Sentences

1 shown
他在水里 挣扎 着。
He is struggling in the water.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 挣扎

垂死挣扎
chuí sǐ zhēng zhá

deathbed struggle

Child Words of 挣扎

扎
zhā

to prick

挣
zhèng

to struggle to get free

扎
zā

to tie