German word

erkämpfen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈkɛmp͡fən/

Meaning

  • verbfight one's way to

Example

Sie erkämpfte den ersten Platz im Wettkampf.

She fought her way to first place in the competition.

Illustration for erkämpfen (fight one's way to)

More examples

Nach jahrelanger Arbeit konnte er sich endlich den Respekt seiner Kollegen erkämpfen.

After years of work, he finally fought his way to the respect of his colleagues.

Core concept

Someone forces a path through resistance until a coveted result is firmly in hand.

Common phrases

  • den Sieg erkämpfen

    fight one's way to victory

  • sich Respekt erkämpfen

    fight one's way to respect

  • sich Anerkennung erkämpfen

    fight one's way to recognition

Similar words

erringen: Win an honor or prize through demanding effort or competition.
gewinnen: Win something by beating an opponent in a contest.
bekommen: Come to have something by receiving it.
erreichen: Reach a goal or destination through effort or progress.

Definition in German

Durch eigenen Einsatz oder Kampf etwas erreichen und als Erfolg für sich gewinnen.

Word origin

German forms "erkämpfen" from "er-" and "kämpfen", with the prefix marking the achievement of something through an arduous process.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive pattern "sich etwas erkämpfen" is common when the person who gains the result is also mentioned, as in "sich einen Platz erkämpfen".

Other meanings

  • winverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word