kämpfen
/kɛm(p)fən/
To struggle in German is kämpfen.
The verb kämpfen is used to express the act of struggling or fighting. When you are struggling against a specific obstacle or force, use the preposition gegen (against something). If you are struggling for a specific goal or prize, use the preposition um (for something). Other ways to express struggle include sich mühen, which implies working hard and putting in great effort or in Schwierigkeiten stecken, which means being caught in a problematic situation. To emphasize the effort put into fighting for a particular cause, you can use um etwas ringen or um etwas kämpfen.
Meaning: to have difficulty with something (verb)
Which one should you use?
While kämpfen is a general verb for struggle, other terms specify the type of struggle. Ringkampf is a formal term for a physical struggle or contest like wrestling, whereas the informal Rauferei suggests a physical scuffle or altercation. For a struggle that tests your abilities, you might use the noun Herausforderung (challenge). If you want to express the concept of struggle through the idea of difficulty, you can use the formal noun Schwierigkeit. Figuratively, am Ringen sein indicates being deeply engaged in a struggle or conflict.
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of kämpfen is kämpfte, and the past participle is gekämpft.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɛm(p)fən/
Did you know?
- The word kämpfen shares a common ancestor with the English word 'champion'. While 'champion' usually refers to a winner, the original root described the person actually engaging in the struggle.
- The noun Kampf is combined with the word for music to create Kampfmusik, which refers to music specifically composed to incite people to battle or stir intense emotions.
- Germans use the word Herausforderung for 'challenge', which literally translates to 'the act of demanding something be brought out' of a person.
Examples in context
- Selbst heutzutage noch kämpfen Frauen gegen Diskriminierung.Even today, however, women struggle against discrimination.This sentence uses kämpfen to describe women struggling against discrimination.Tatoeba #952520 by Sudajaengi, translation #53540 by orcrist
- Leben heißt kämpfen.Life is struggle.This sentence uses kämpfen to express the idea that life is struggle.Tatoeba #5318862 by Esperantostern, translation #11499453 by shekitten
- Es ist besser, zu kämpfen und zu leiden, als alles zu haben und sich zu langweilen.It is better to struggle and suffer than to have everything and be bored.This sentence uses kämpfen to contrast struggling and suffering with a life of boredom.Tatoeba #1485553 by Esperantostern, translation #2772348 by catcher
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kämpfen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kämpfen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
