苦く闘とう

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

hard fight; difficult struggle

Describes a strenuous, often prolonged struggle against adversity, difficulty, or a formidable opponent. Used both literally (e.g., in sports, combat) and figuratively (e.g., with illness, hardship).

• 彼かれは病やまいと長ながく苦く闘とうした。

  He struggled long and hard against illness.

• チームは優ゆう勝しょうをかけて苦く闘とうを続つづけた。

  The team continued their hard fight for the championship.