Translation guide
How to express the idea of struggling with a difficult problem, issue, or situation in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you are dealing with a problem, an opponent, or an abstract concept.
To express that someone is trying hard to deal with a difficult problem, question, or situation, often mentally or emotionally.
Literally 'to grapple with' or 'to tackle'. Used for actively working on a problem or task. Often implies a serious, sustained effort.
He is grappling with a difficult problem.
Means 'to struggle' or 'to fight hard'. Emphasizes the difficulty and the effort involved. Often used for prolonged struggles.
He is grappling with that problem.
Literally 'to wrestle' or 'to grapple' physically, but often used metaphorically for struggling with abstract things like ideas or problems.
He is grappling with his own emotions.
Literally 'to make one's head ache', meaning to worry or be troubled by a problem. Often used when the problem is mentally taxing.
He is grappling with that problem (it's giving him a headache).
To describe a physical fight or struggle, often involving grabbing and holding.
取り組む is the most neutral and common for tackling problems. 苦闘する emphasizes the struggle and difficulty. 格闘する is more vivid and often used for internal or abstract struggles.
The English 'grapple with' is often used metaphorically. Direct translations like 'grapple suru' do not exist. Use the options above based on context.
彼は相手に組み付いた。
He grappled with his opponent.