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How to Say "you struggle" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “you struggle” is “batallas” — use this when describing the difficulty someone is having performing a specific task or dealing with a challenging situation..

English → Spanish

batallas

/ba-TA-yas//baˈtaʝas/

verbB1
Use this when describing the difficulty someone is having performing a specific task or dealing with a challenging situation.
A person in a bright shirt struggling to carry a very large, heavy cardboard box.

Examples

Sé que tú batallas mucho con las matemáticas.

I know that you struggle a lot with math.

Si batallas para abrir la puerta, usa esta llave.

If you struggle to open the door, use this key.

Talking to a friend

This specific form 'batallas' is used when you are talking directly to one person you know well (informal 'you').

peleas

peh-LEH-ahs/peˈle.as/

verbA1informal
Use this in a figurative sense when someone is arguing or fighting over minor issues, implying a contentious attitude.
A single stylized young person with a determined, aggressive expression, actively leaning forward with a raised fist, depicting the action of fighting.

Examples

Tú siempre peleas por cosas pequeñas.

You always fight over small things.

Si peleas por tus derechos, ganarás.

If you fight for your rights, you will win.

¿Con quién peleas en el patio?

Who are you fighting with in the yard?

The 'Tú' Form

This form, 'peleas,' is used when you are talking directly to one person informally about what they do now or habitually. It's the standard '-as' ending for regular '-ar' verbs in the present tense.

Mixing up 'Tú' and 'Usted'

Mistake: “¿Usted peleas mucho?”

Correction: Use 'Usted pelea' for formal situations. 'Peleas' is only for informal 'tú'.

Struggle vs. Fight

The most common mistake is using 'peleas' when you mean 'batallas'. Remember, 'peleas' implies conflict or arguing, while 'batallas' refers to the difficulty of a task or situation.

Related Translations

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