noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
hand-to-hand fight; grapple; scuffle
Physical combat, especially unarmed or close-quarters fighting. Often used in sports, martial arts, or street fights.
彼は強盗と格闘した。
He grappled with the robber.
格闘技の試合を
I like watching martial arts matches.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
struggle (with a problem); wrestle (with a task)
Figurative use: struggling with a difficult problem, task, or situation. Often used with ～と格闘する.
彼は難しい問題と格闘している。
He is wrestling with a difficult problem.
毎日、家事と格闘しています。
I struggle with housework every day.