Inklingo

How to Say "to struggle" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to struggle” is “costar” — use 'costar' when a task or activity is difficult for *you* personally, implying an effort of will or energy is required.

English → Spanish

costar

kos-TARkosˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'costar' when a task or activity is difficult for *you* personally, implying an effort of will or energy is required.
A small person pushing a massive, heavy boulder up a steep green hill.

Examples

Me cuesta levantarme temprano en invierno.

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

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-CHARluˈʧaɾ

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

Examples

Los médicos lucharon para salvarle la vida.

The doctors struggled to save his life.

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-AHRpe.leˈaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'pelear' for a direct confrontation or a determined fight towards a specific goal or for something you believe in.
A single stylized figure pulling a very heavy, thick rope with great effort, straining intensely, illustrating a struggle towards a goal.

Examples

Pepe peleó por su ascenso durante años.

Pepe struggled for his promotion for years.

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).

remar

rreh-mahrreˈmaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'remar' to describe the continuous, hard work and effort required to achieve a difficult goal, especially in a project.
A person leaning forward and pushing a very large, heavy boulder up a steep green hill.

Examples

Hemos remado mucho para terminar este informe a tiempo.

We've struggled a lot to finish this report on time.

Llevamos meses remando para sacar adelante este proyecto.

We've been toiling for months to move this project forward.

A veces parece que estoy remando solo en esta oficina.

Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one working hard in this office.

Figurative Actions

Just like in English we say 'it's an uphill battle,' Spanish uses 'remar' (rowing) to show that life can feel like hard physical work.

debatir

deh-bah-teerdeβaˈtiɾ

verbB2general
Use 'debatir' when someone is internally conflicted or torn between two difficult choices or options.
A person climbing a steep, rocky hill with effort.

Examples

Debate si debe aceptar la oferta de trabajo en el extranjero.

He is struggling (torn) whether to accept the job offer abroad.

Se debate entre ir a la universidad o empezar a trabajar.

He is torn between going to university or starting to work.

El herido se debate entre la vida y la muerte.

The injured person is struggling between life and death.

The 'Self' Form

When you use the form with 'se' (debatirse), the action is happening inside the person. It's like they are having a debate with themselves.

Forgetting the 'se'

Mistake: “Él debate entre dos trabajos.”

Correction: Él se debate entre dos trabajos. Without the 'se', it sounds like he is holding a public debate about two jobs.

Confusing 'luchar' and 'costar'

Learners often confuse 'luchar' (to fight against something external) with 'costar' (something is difficult for *you*). Remember, 'costar' is about personal difficulty with a task, while 'luchar' implies an active fight or prolonged effort against an obstacle.

Related Translations

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