Proverb / Kotowaza
悪戦苦闘
Fighting desperately against great odds or in a very difficult situation.
a hard battle and a painful struggle
Quick Answer
Fighting desperately against great odds or in a very difficult situation.
- Literal Image
- a hard battle and a painful struggle
- How to Use It
- Used when describing someone working extremely hard to finish a difficult task, such as learning a language, completing a project, or implementing a complex system.
Meaning
To engage in a fierce struggle while facing disadvantageous circumstances. It describes the act of putting forth a desperate effort to overcome strong opposition or daunting challenges through sheer determination.
Literal Image
a hard battle and a painful struggle
How to Use It
Used when describing someone working extremely hard to finish a difficult task, such as learning a language, completing a project, or implementing a complex system.
Tone
Serious and intense; it emphasizes the magnitude of the struggle and the effort required.
Examples
慣れない外国語での交渉に悪戦苦闘した。
I struggled desperately with negotiations in a foreign language I wasn't used to.
悪戦苦闘の末、ようやくプロジェクトを完成させることができた。
After a hard-fought struggle, I was finally able to complete the project.
新しいシステムの導入に悪戦苦闘している。
I am struggling with the introduction of the new system.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the component kanji are, the four-character compound (yojijukugo) structure and its specific use in business or formal contexts make it less transparent for beginners.
悪戦
あくせん / akusen
hard battle; fighting against the odds
苦闘
くとう / kutou
painful struggle; hard fight
Usage Profile
Usage note: It specifically implies a 'desperate' struggle, so it may sound too intense for very minor inconveniences.
Misread Risk
Do not use this for simple tasks that are just a bit annoying; it implies a serious level of difficulty where one is fighting to survive or succeed.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
Originally a military term used to describe fighting under disadvantageous (akusen) or painful (kutou) conditions. It has since transitioned to describe putting forth a desperate effort to overcome various difficulties encountered in daily life, such as work or study.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.