争
爭zhēng
#344 most
frequent character
contend, dispute, fight, strive
verb
Character breakdown
Source: Make Me a Hanzi.
争 shows two hands grabbing a plow, so it first meant to plow a field. ⺈ is an empty part now, but it once pictured a hand. From 'plow' the meaning grew to 'strive', 'fight over', and 'argue'.
Drawn as: two hands grabbing plow
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Example Sentences
他和朋友们在比赛中争第一。
tā hé péngyǒu mén zài bǐsài zhōng zhēng dìyī 。
He is contending for first place in the competition with his friends.
他们为了奖金而争。
tāmen wèile jiǎngjīn ér zhēng 。
They are fighting for the prize money.
在会上，大家争论很多问题。
zài huì shàng ， dàjiā zhēnglùn hěnduō wèntí 。
At the meeting, everyone disputed many issues.
Words with similar meanings
竞争jìngzhēng
compete
This term emphasizes the aspect of rivalry and competition, particularly in a formal or structured setting.
斗争dòuzhēng
struggle
This word suggests a more intense or prolonged effort, often involving conflict or hardship.
争夺zhēngduó
contend for
This term specifically refers to competing for something that is being kept or held by someone else.
Homophones
Words Starting With 争
争取zhēng qǔ
to fight for; to strive for; to win over
争论zhēng lùn
"to argue; to debate; to contend; argument; contention; controversy; debate
争先恐后zhēng xiān kǒng hòu
striving to be first and fearing to be last (idiom); outdoing one another
争夺zhēng duó
fight over; contest; vie over
争气zhēng qì
to work hard for sth; to resolve on improvement; determined not to fall short
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