‘挣扎’ is a compound verb meaning 'to struggle' — either physically (like trying to break free from restraints) or emotionally (like grappling with difficult feelings, decisions, or circumstances). The first character 挣 (zhēng) conveys effort, exertion, or striving to get something (e.g., earn money, break loose), while 扎 (zhá) adds the sense of twisting, writhing, or pushing against resistance. Together, they evoke intense, often tense effort in the face of opposition or hardship.

This word appears frequently in both literal and figurative contexts: a drowning person may ‘struggle’ in water; someone facing anxiety, grief, or moral conflict may ‘struggle’ internally. It carries a neutral-to-somber tone — not inherently negative, but implying difficulty and perseverance. Unlike more formal synonyms like ‘奋斗’ (to strive for goals), ‘挣扎’ emphasizes immediacy, urgency, and sometimes helplessness or exhaustion.