冲突

• Pinyin: chōng tū
• Hanzi breakdown: 冲 (rush, charge) + 突 (break through,突然)

Meaning

Conflict; clash; to conflict with.

Used for disagreements, contradictions, or physical clashes. Can describe interpersonal disputes, scheduling conflicts, ideological differences, or even military confrontations. Very versatile in both formal and casual contexts.

Examples

1. 他们俩因为工作理念不同产生了冲突。 The two of them had a conflict because of different work philosophies.
2. 这两个会议时间冲突了，我只能参加一个。 These two meetings have a time conflict; I can only attend one.
3. 双方都不愿意让步，冲突越来越严重。 Neither side was willing to compromise, and the conflict became more and more serious.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, work, politics, scheduling

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 我们应该避免不必要的冲突。(We should avoid unnecessary conflicts.)
• 时间冲突了怎么办？(What should we do about the scheduling conflict?)

Don't Say

• 说'我和他冲突了'可能不够清楚——最好说明是什么类型的冲突，如'意见冲突'或'时间冲突' (Saying 我和他冲突了 is vague — specify the type, like 意见冲突 or 时间冲突)

Origin & History

Compound of 冲 (to rush, to charge) + 突 (to break through), depicting a forceful collision or confrontation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal