苦戦(くせん)

くせん
noun, suru-verb
hard fight, uphill battle
1. hard fight, tough struggle, uphill battle
A difficult struggle where one is at a disadvantage or facing strong opposition. Used both for literal battles and figuratively for any challenging situation such as business competition, elections, or sports matches.
チームは後半(こうはん)苦戦(くせん)した。
The team struggled in the second half.
新規(しんき)参入(さんにゅう)の企業(きぎょう)は市場(しじょう)で苦戦(くせん)を強(し)いられている。
New entrants to the market are being forced into an uphill battle.
与党(よとう)は地方(ちほう)選挙(せんきょ)で苦戦(くせん)が予想(よそう)されている。
The ruling party is expected to face a tough fight in the local elections.

USAGE:
Very common in sports reporting, business news, and political commentary. Implies that one is fighting hard but at a disadvantage. Often collocates with する (to struggle) or を強(し)いられる (to be forced into a struggle).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 苦戦(くせん)する: to struggle, to have a hard fight
  • 苦戦(くせん)を強(し)いられる: to be forced into a tough battle
  • 苦戦(くせん)が予想(よそう)される: a tough fight is expected
  • 苦戦(くせん)が続(つづ)く: the tough fight continues
  • 苦戦(くせん)の末(すえ): after a hard-fought battle

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 善戦(ぜんせん): a good fight — implies fighting well despite losing or being the underdog
  • 奮闘(ふんとう): spirited fight, hard struggle — emphasizes the effort and determination
general
Added 2026.2.27 17:35
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