Inklingo

How to Say "to struggle" in Spanish

English → Spanish

costar

/kos-TAR//kosˈtaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'costar' when you personally find a task or activity difficult to do.
A small person pushing a massive, heavy boulder up a steep green hill.

Examples

Me cuesta levantarme temprano.

It's a struggle for me to get up early.

Me cuesta hablar español.

It's hard for me to speak Spanish.

A Juan le cuesta levantarse temprano.

Juan struggles to get up early.

Nos costó mucho encontrar la casa.

It took us a lot of effort to find the house.

The 'Gustar' Pattern

When you want to say something is hard 'for you,' use words like 'me,' 'te,' or 'le' before the verb. For example: 'Me cuesta' means 'It is hard for me.'

Verbs After Costar

If you are saying a specific action is hard (like 'speaking' or 'running'), use the basic form of that action (the infinitive) right after: 'Me cuesta correr'.

Don't use 'Yo'

Mistake: “Yo cuesto entender.”

Correction: Me cuesta entender. (In Spanish, the task is what does the 'costing' of effort to you.)

luchar

/loo-CHAR//luˈʧaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'luchar' when describing a prolonged effort or fight against adversity, illness, or for a principle.
A determined figure pushing with all their might against a gigantic, rough, gray boulder that is resisting movement, illustrating great effort.

Examples

Él luchó contra la enfermedad durante años.

He struggled against the illness for years.

Mi abuela luchó toda su vida por la igualdad de las mujeres.

My grandmother struggled/campaigned her entire life for women's equality.

Luchamos contra la corrupción en el gobierno.

We are fighting against corruption in the government.

Tienes que luchar por tus sueños.

You have to strive/fight for your dreams.

Using 'Por' vs. 'Contra'

Mistake: “Luchamos a favor los derechos (We fight in favor the rights)”

Correction: Luchamos por los derechos. Use 'luchar por' when striving for a goal, and 'luchar contra' when opposing something.

pelear

peh-leh-AHR/pe.leˈaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'pelear' when referring to actively fighting for something specific, like survival or achieving a concrete goal.
A single stylized figure pulling a very heavy, thick rope with great effort, straining intensely, illustrating a struggle towards a goal.

Examples

Los animales pelean por comida.

The animals struggle for food.

Tenemos que pelear por nuestros derechos en el trabajo.

We have to fight for our rights at work.

Ella pelea contra la injusticia en su comunidad.

She struggles against injustice in her community.

El equipo va a pelear por el campeonato.

The team is going to compete for the championship.

Prepositions for Goals

When 'pelear' means to struggle for a goal, you will almost always use 'por' (for) or 'contra' (against): 'Peleamos por la libertad' (We struggle for freedom).

Costar vs. Luchar/Pelear

Learners often confuse 'costar' with 'luchar' or 'pelear'. Remember, 'costar' is about personal difficulty with an action, while 'luchar' and 'pelear' imply a more active, external conflict or prolonged effort against something.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.