Comments for 苦戦

 Hi,

 I am wanting to start refreshing my Japanese , and I wonder if you could help with a question regarding Kusen 苦戦

 Google makes it look like ‘uphill struggle/ hard contest’ but I’m sure an old Japanese language book I had indicated it meant something like fighting hard - an attitude, fighting against set backs and struggles, not giving in etc. Any advice welcome

For 苦戦, there are two meanings for it:

1) 相(あい)手(て)が強(つよ)く(く)、不(ふ)利(り)な状(じょう)況(きょう)で苦(くる)し(し)い(い)戦(たたか)い(い)をすること。
 (To fight a painful battle against a strong opponent while in a disadvantageous situation)

2) 物(もの)事(ごと)をな(な)し(し)と(と)げ(げ)る(る)ために苦(くる)し(し)み(み)ながら努(ど)力(りょく)すること。

(To go through a painful struggle to accomplish something)

( reference: kotobank )

Hope that helps!