Word details

もがく

Meanings, readings, and example sentences for the Japanese word もがく.

Dictionary

Entry

もがく《藻掻く》踠くIntransitiveUsually kanaGodan verbFreq #5488
1

to struggle; to writhe; to wriggle; to squirm

Examples
その動物は檻から出ようともがいた。
The animal struggled to get out of the cage.
2

to act frantically; to make desperate efforts

Character notes

Kanji in this Word

藻

seaweed, duckweed

19 strokesFrequency 2,124JLPT N1Grade 8

On

ソウ

Kun

も
掻

scratch, rake, comb, paddle, behead

11 strokes

On

ソウ

Kun

か.く
踠

writhe, struggle, be impatient

15 strokes

On

エンオンワ

Kun

かが.むもが.く

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