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March 24, 2026
挣扎(掙扎)zhēngzhá(zheng1zha2)
挣扎 (zhèngzhá) means to struggle, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. It can refer to battling against a difficult situation, such as financial hardship or emotional distress, and is commonly used in contexts where someone is fighting to overcome challenges.
Frequency#3661DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of struggle is often associated with the idea of '不屈不挠' (unyielding), reflecting a value placed on perseverance and resilience in the face of hardship, which resonates with traditional narratives of overcoming adversity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (the character's left side '挣' looks like a person) struggling to break free from a tight rope (the right side '扎' suggests being tied up). The pronunciation 'zheng1 zha2' can be remembered as 'Zhang is trying to break free!'
Meanings of 挣扎
zhēngzhá(zheng1zha2)
1to struggle
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 挣扎
挣扎Simplified
掙扎Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3661Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 挣扎
Podcast: 挣扎
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AI Study Notes for 挣扎
Quick Contrast
挣扎 (zhēngzhá) vs 斗争 (dòuzhēng): choose 挣扎 when emphasizing personal or emotional struggle, while 斗争 focuses more on collective or ideological conflict.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (the character's left side '挣' looks like a person) struggling to break free from a tight rope (the right side '扎' suggests being tied up). The pronunciation 'zheng1 zha2' can be remembered as 'Zhang is trying to break free!'
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using '挣扎' in overly casual contexts, as it can carry a serious tone. Be careful with tone; '挣扎' has a first tone and a second tone, and mispronouncing either can lead to confusion. It often collocates with words like '生活' (life) or '困境' (predicament).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, '挣扎' connects with other words about conflict and perseverance, such as '奋斗' (strive) and '抗争' (resist). Students should focus on the nuances of struggle in different contexts and how to use this word in both written and spoken Chinese.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of struggle is often associated with the idea of '不屈不挠' (unyielding), reflecting a value placed on perseverance and resilience in the face of hardship, which resonates with traditional narratives of overcoming adversity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '挣扎' with '挣' (to earn) due to their similar beginnings; for example, saying '我挣扎赚钱' (I struggle to earn money) instead of '我挣扎着赚钱' (I am struggling to earn money). Another mistake is using it too lightly, as the word carries a weighty connotation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 挣扎
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Grammar Patterns of 挣扎
挣扎 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
乔治疯狂地____，不断在水面上浮浮沉沉。
George struggled wildly, going under and resurfacing at regular intervals.
Men and horses were floundering in the deep snow beside the road.
10
兔子掉到了一棵无花果树的空树干里, 怎么挣扎也出不去.
tù zǐ diào dào le yī kē wú huā guǒ shù de kōng shù gān lǐ, , zěn mó zhèng zā yě chū bù.
The rabbit tires and falls, landing inside the hollow trunk of a sycamore tree, where he is trapped.
Cultural Notes for 挣扎
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of struggle is often associated with the idea of '不屈不挠' (unyielding), reflecting a value placed on perseverance and resilience in the face of hardship, which resonates with traditional narratives of overcoming adversity.
Frequently Asked Questions about 挣扎
While '挣扎' usually implies difficulty, it can sometimes be used positively to describe someone fighting to improve their situation.
'挣扎' focuses more on the struggle aspect, while '奋斗' emphasizes striving or working hard towards a goal.
'我在生活中挣扎' means 'I am struggling in life,' highlighting a personal challenge.
