Kampf

Kampf is a German noun meaning fight, battle, or struggle. It can refer to physical combat, but it is commonly used in figurative senses to denote opposition or effort, such as Kampf ums Überleben (struggle for survival) or der politische Kampf (the political fight). The term derives from Old High German kampf and is related to the verb kämpfen (to fight).

In historical and cultural contexts, Kampf appears in several notable phrases and titles. The Kulturkampf of the late 19th century refers to Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's policy framework aimed at reducing Catholic influence in the German Empire. The phrase Mein Kampf, a 1925 political manifesto by Adolf Hitler, is one of the best-known uses of the word; the work is controversial and widely studied as a historical document. The term also forms part of other technical or military terms, such as Kampfhandlungen (combat operations).

Kampf is also used as a surname in German-speaking areas. As a common noun with broad semantic scope, it appears in many proper names and phrases across literature, media, and everyday language. In translation and scholarly writing, Kampf is typically kept in its original German form when used as part of titles or quotations.