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How to Say "struggling" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “struggling” is “luchando” — use 'luchando' when describing the act of fighting against difficult circumstances like illness, poverty, or a tough situation..

English → Spanish

luchando

loo-CHAHN-doh/luˈtʃan̪.do/

GerundB1General
Use 'luchando' when describing the act of fighting against difficult circumstances like illness, poverty, or a tough situation.
A small, determined figure straining and pushing with all their might against a giant, heavy boulder on a slight incline, symbolizing struggle against difficulty.

Examples

Mi abuela ha estado luchando contra una enfermedad grave por años.

My grandmother has been struggling against a serious illness for years.

La empresa está luchando para mantenerse a flote en esta crisis.

The company is struggling to stay afloat in this crisis.

The Preposition 'Contra'

When 'luchando' means 'struggling against' an adversity (like a disease or poverty), you almost always use the preposition 'contra' (against) immediately afterward.

peleando

peh-leh-AHN-doh/pe.leˈan.do/

Verb (Gerund)B2General
Use 'peleando' when describing a strong effort or contention to achieve a specific, often competitive, goal.
A single determined person is straining and sweating while pulling a very thick, heavy rope, illustrating the intense effort of struggling toward a difficult goal.

Examples

El equipo está peleando por el primer puesto en la liga.

The team is struggling/contending for first place in the league.

Llevamos meses peleando contra la burocracia.

We have been struggling against bureaucracy for months.

Figurative Use

In this context, 'peleando' moves beyond physical conflict to describe an intense, ongoing effort against an obstacle (like a disease, bureaucracy, or a competitor).

Luchando vs. Peleando

Learners often confuse 'luchando' and 'peleando'. Remember that 'luchando' is for battling hardship, while 'peleando' implies a more active, often competitive, striving towards a specific objective.

Related Translations

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