Nuance Dictionary / Grit, Survival, & Hardship
고군분투(하다) go-gun-bun-tu
Fighting a lonely, uphill battle all by oneself against overwhelming odds
What does 고군분투(하다) mean?
고군분투(하다) (go-gun-bun-tu) means: Fighting a lonely, uphill battle all by oneself against overwhelming odds.
Often used to describe a tragic hero or an underdog startup trying to survive.
How it's actually used
- 그 작은 스타트업은 대기업들의 견제 속에서 살아남으려고 홀로 고군분투하고 있다.
Geu jageun suteat-eup-eun daegieopdeul-ui gyeonje sog-eseo sal-anam-euryeogo hollo gog-un-bun-tuhago itda.
That small startup is fighting a lonely battle to survive amid the pressure from big corporations.
💡 Often used in news and commentary for underdogs. - 팀장님이 휴가 중이라 내가 혼자서 이 프로젝트를 끝내느라 아주 고군분투했어.
Timjangnim-i hyuga jung-ira naega honjaseo i peurojekteureul kkeunnaeneura aju gog-un-bun-tuhaesseo.
Since our team leader is on vacation, I struggled all by myself to finish this project.
💡 Can be used casually to describe handling a heavy burden alone. - 대기업의 틈바구니에서 작은 빵집이 홀로 고군분투하고 있다.
daegieobeui teumbaguni-eseo jageun ppangjibi hollo gogunbuntuhago itda.
The small bakery is fighting a lonely, uphill battle amidst the dominance of major conglomerates.
💡 Highlights an underdog struggling single-handedly against overwhelming odds.
Related words in Grit, Survival, & Hardship
발버둥(치다) bal-beo-dung뼈 빠지게 ppyeo-ppa-ji-ge맨땅에 헤딩(하다) maen-ttang-e-he-ding이(를) 악물다 i-reul-ang-mul-da산전수전(다 겪다) san-jeon-su-jeon