kämpfen

/ˈkɛmpfn̩/

verb A2

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present (3rd sg.): kämpft
past: kämpfte
perfect: hat gekämpft

Meaning

to fight
- Sie kämpfte für ihre Rechte.
  
  She fought for her rights.
- Die Soldaten kämpften tapfer um jeden Meter. Am Ende mussten sie sich zurückziehen.
  
  The soldiers fought bravely for every metre. In the end they had to withdraw.

Similar words

ankämpfen

Ankämpfen (usually "ankämpfen gegen") is fighting AGAINST something specific — an obstacle, an illness, fatigue; kämpfen is the general word for fighting.

Similar in other languages

Portuguese

lutar

lutar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to fight."

Portuguese

pugnar

pugnar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to fight."

Practice

1 What does kämpfen mean?

2 Fill the gap: Sie ___ für ihre Rechte.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches kämpfen?

verbcore-vocabulary

Last updated 2026-09-18