参赛

• Pinyin: cān sài
• Hanzi breakdown: 参 = 𠫓 + 大 + 彡, to participate; 赛 = 宀 + 贝, competition

Meaning

To participate in a competition; to compete. The act of entering a contest or match.

A verb-object compound commonly used in sports, academic competitions, and various contests. Often appears in compounds like 参赛者 (participant), 参赛资格 (qualification to compete), and 参赛作品 (competition entry).

Examples

1. 今年有来自三十多个国家的选手参赛。 This year, competitors from more than thirty countries participated.
2. 想要参赛必须先通过资格赛。 To compete, you must first pass the qualifying round.
3. 她的参赛作品获得了一等奖。 Her competition entry won first prize.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, competitions, events

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 报名参赛的截止日期是下周五。(The deadline for registration to compete is next Friday.)
• 他代表学校参赛并获得了冠军。(He competed on behalf of the school and won the championship.)

Don't Say

• 注意'参赛'和'比赛'的区别 (参赛 emphasizes the act of entering/participating, while 比赛 refers to the competition itself)

Origin & History

Compound of 参 (to participate) + 赛 (competition, race). Literally 'participate in competition.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal