to fence / fight
Loading your saved state.
to fence
To practice the sport of fencing, in which people fight according to fixed rules with bladed weapons such as an épée, foil, or saber.
Sie ficht seit ihrer Kindheit im Verein und hat schon viele Turniere gewonnen.
She has fenced at a club since childhood and has already won many tournaments.
to fight for
(Elevated) To fight or argue intensely for something, often in a figurative sense.
Die Anwälte fochten vor Gericht um jeden einzelnen Punkt des Vertrags.
The lawyers fought in court for every single point of the contract.
to beg
(Colloquial, becoming outdated) To beg or scrounge.
Früher zogen Handwerksburschen durchs Land und mussten manchmal auch fechten, um über die Runden zu kommen.
In the past, journeymen traveled around the country and sometimes had to beg to get by.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If the verb appears with weapons like 'Degen' (épée) or in a sports context, it refers to the sport. The preposition 'um' indicates the figurative fight. Without an object in a context of poverty, it means 'betteln' (to beg).
Er ficht seit zehn Jahren mit dem Säbel.
He has been fencing with the saber for ten years.
In a sports context, 'fechten' (to fence) is often combined with types of weapons, for example 'mit dem Degen fechten' (to fence with the épée) or 'mit dem Florett fechten' (to fence with the foil). The phrase 'gegen jemanden fechten' (to fence against someone) is also common.
Bei den Olympischen Spielen focht sie gegen die Weltmeisterin.
At the Olympic Games, she fenced against the world champion.
In the figurative meaning 'kämpfen um' (to fight for), 'fechten' (to fight) is always used with the preposition 'um' and the accusative. You fight for a goal or a right.
Die Partei focht um die Stimmen der unentschlossenen Wähler.
The party fought for the votes of undecided voters.
The expression 'um etwas fechten' (to fight for something) belongs to an elevated, rather written style. It is often found in legal, political, or literary texts.
Der Anwalt focht leidenschaftlich um den Freispruch seines Mandanten.
The lawyer fought passionately for his client's acquittal.
The meaning 'betteln' (to beg) is colloquial and is considered outdated today. It is only rarely used now, mostly in an ironic or historical context.
Er hat kein Geld dabei und muss bei seinen Freunden um eine Zigarette fechten.
He doesn't have any money with him and has to beg his friends for a cigarette.
to fight
Kämpfen and fechten can both describe an intense effort to achieve a goal. Kämpfen is the neutral word commonly used in everyday situations, while fechten um sounds elevated and often figurative. Use kämpfen in ordinary situations and fechten um mainly in elevated writing or description.
Die Bürger fechten für den Erhalt des Parks.
The citizens are fighting to preserve the park.
Die Bürger kämpfen für den Erhalt des Parks.
The citizens are fighting to preserve the park.
