galérer

Definition & meaning

Galérer is an informal French verb meaning to struggle, to have a hard time, or to find something difficult. It can describe dealing with a problem, making little progress, or going through a difficult situation.

Depending on context, it can also mean to toil or to work hard under difficult conditions.

Grammar & Word origin

Galérer is a regular first-group verb ending in -er. It is usually used without a direct object, often with a phrase explaining what is difficult: galérer à faire quelque chose (“struggle to do something”) or galérer pour obtenir quelque chose (“struggle to get something”).

It comes from galère ↗, meaning “galley,” a type of ship traditionally rowed by galley slaves. The verb developed the figurative sense of enduring hardship or struggling.

Synonyms & antonyms

• Peiner ↗ — to struggle or labor; somewhat less colloquial and often emphasizes effort or difficulty.
• Trimer ↗ — to toil or work very hard; it focuses more on strenuous work.
• Ramer ↗ — literally “to row,” but informally “to struggle” or “make slow progress”; often close in tone to galérer.
• S’en sortir ↗ — to manage or get through a difficult situation; an approximate opposite when it means successfully coping.
• Réussir ↗ — to succeed; an opposite when galérer describes difficulty or lack of progress.

Common phrases & collocations

• Galérer à faire quelque chose — to struggle to do something.
• Galérer pour trouver un emploi — to struggle to find a job.
• Galérer dans la vie — to have a hard time in life.
• C’est la galère ↗ — “It’s a real struggle” or “What a hassle.”