争

• Pinyin: zhēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 争 = upper component (hand) + lower component, simplified from 爭; pictograph of hands pulling

Meaning

To compete; to fight for; to argue; to strive. Indicates a struggle or contest between parties.

Can mean to compete (争第一 = compete for first place), to argue (争论 = debate), or to fight for something (争权 = fight for power). Often carries a sense of determination. Appears in many compound words like 竞争 (competition), 战争 (war), 争吵 (quarrel).

Examples

1. 两个孩子在争一个玩具。 Two children are fighting over a toy.
2. 大家都在争这个机会。 Everyone is competing for this opportunity.
3. 我们不要为了小事争来争去。 Let's not argue back and forth over small things.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, competition, conflict

Tone: assertive

Do Say

• 孩子们在争谁先玩。(The children are fighting over who gets to play first.)
• 他总是争着帮忙。(He always rushes to help.)

Don't Say

• 我们争一下吧。(Too vague — specify what you're competing for; say 我们比一下吧 for 'let's have a match' in casual contexts)

Origin & History

An ancient pictograph depicting two hands pulling on an object, representing the act of struggling over something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal