‘挣命’ is a vivid, colloquial verb meaning ‘to fight for one’s life’—literally, to struggle or wrestle (挣) to preserve one’s life (命). It emphasizes extreme physical or emotional effort in the face of grave danger, illness, exhaustion, or hardship. Unlike neutral terms like ‘survive’, 挣命 carries strong connotations of desperation, grit, and raw perseverance.

This expression is commonly used in spoken Mandarin and informal writing, especially when describing someone enduring severe illness, grueling labor, or life-threatening situations. It often appears with subjects like patients, workers, or animals in distress—and while it can describe literal life-or-death struggles, it’s also used hyperbolically for exhausting daily efforts (e.g., working multiple jobs). The tone is empathetic but not clinical; it evokes sympathy, urgency, and human resilience.