noun
fight, battle, struggle
B1
Kampf (der) means fight, battle, or struggle. Use it for physical fights or metaphorical struggles. Plural is Kämpfe (umlaut + -e). Genitive singular is des Kampfes. Note the noun takes standard cases; it's masculine and follows regular strong declension with an irregular genitive form.
Examples
Sein täglicher Kampf mit der Müdigkeit machte ihm zu schaffen.
His daily struggle with tiredness was really getting to him.
Der Kampf um die Freiheit dauerte viele Jahre.
The fight for freedom lasted many years.
Der Kampf für die Gleichberechtigung der Frauen dauert schon lange.
The fight for women's equality has been going on for a long time.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine two people in a historical battle, with banners and dust — a vivid scene of Kampf
Think of 'camp' + 'f' — a fierce 'camp fight' image
DER Kampf — imagine a strong, masculine warrior (der = masculine)
Notes
Kampf can be used for physical fights, military battles, or figurative struggles (e.g., a struggle against an illness). Be careful: in compounds and fixed expressions the meaning can shift (e.g., 'Kampfgeist' = fighting spirit).