挣扎 (zhēng zhá): to struggle

The little fish, tangled in the fishing net, struggled desperately and finally slipped out through a mesh hole.

He fell into the icy river, struggling and shouting for help, but fortunately a passing fisherman pulled him out.

After his business failed, he struggled every day with debt and self-blame, until a friend helped him find a new job.

The little bird, locked in a cage, struggled constantly, wanting to fly out to the sky beyond the window.