战争

• Pinyin: zhàn zhēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 战 = 单 + 戈 (spear), battle; 争 = pictograph showing two hands pulling at something, to contend or compete

Meaning

War; warfare. Refers to armed conflict between nations, groups, or forces.

A formal and serious noun covering any large-scale armed conflict. Also used metaphorically for fierce competition or conflict — for example, 价格战争 (price war) or 商业战争 (business war). In historical and political contexts, 战争 carries grave connotations.

Examples

1. 战争给无数家庭带来了痛苦和分离。 War has brought pain and separation to countless families.
2. 历史告诉我们，和平比战争更加宝贵。 History tells us that peace is far more precious than war.
3. 两国之间的贸易争端有演变为经济战争的风险。 The trade dispute between the two countries risks escalating into an economic war.

Usage Guide

Context: history, politics, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 我们应该共同努力，避免战争的爆发。(We should work together to prevent the outbreak of war.)
• 这场战争持续了五年，造成了巨大的人员伤亡。(This war lasted five years and caused enormous casualties.)

Don't Say

• 在极其轻松的语境中随意提到'战争' (Avoid casually mentioning 战争 in very light-hearted contexts — it is a grave word and can come across as insensitive unless used metaphorically with clear intent)

Origin & History

A compound of 战 (battle, to fight) and 争 (to contend, to compete). Together they convey large-scale armed contention between parties.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal