争取

• Pinyin: zhēng qǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 争 = simplified from 爭, meaning 'to fight for'; 取 = 耳 (ear) + 又 (hand), originally meant 'to seize'

Meaning

To strive for; to fight for; to try to win. Indicates actively working toward achieving something.

Implies determination and effort in pursuing a goal or right. Can be used for concrete goals (争取时间 = fight for time) or abstract ones (争取自由 = fight for freedom). Also used as a softer expression meaning 'try to' or 'aim to' (我争取明天完成 = I'll try to finish tomorrow).

Examples

1. 我们要争取更多的时间来准备。 We need to fight for more time to prepare.
2. 她一直在争取这个工作机会。 She has been striving for this job opportunity.
3. 运动员们争取在比赛中取得好成绩。 The athletes strive to achieve good results in the competition.

Usage Guide

Context: work, study, motivation

Tone: determined

Do Say

• 我会争取在下周完成这个项目。(I'll try to finish this project by next week.)
• 大家要争取自己的权利。(Everyone should fight for their own rights.)

Don't Say

• 我争取吃晚饭。(Don't use 争取 for routine activities — it implies overcoming obstacles; just say 我去吃晚饭)

Origin & History

争 (to compete, to fight for) + 取 (to take, to obtain). Together: to strive to obtain something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal