斗

• Pinyin: dòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 斗 = pictograph of two figures facing each other in combat

Meaning

To fight, struggle against, or compete. Used for physical combat, ideological struggle, or competitive contests.

Has strong revolutionary-era associations in Chinese (阶级斗争). In modern usage, 斗 appears in competition and confrontation contexts. 斗智斗勇 (matching wits and courage) is a common compound. Also found in 争斗, 战斗, 格斗.

Examples

1. 两只公鸡在院子里斗了起来，难解难分。 Two roosters started fighting in the yard, and neither could gain the upper hand.
2. 他凭借超强的心理素质，与对手斗智斗勇。 With remarkable mental toughness, he battled his opponent with both strategy and grit.
3. 工人们团结起来，与恶劣的工作条件顽强地斗。 The workers united and fought tenaciously against harsh working conditions.

Usage Guide

Context: competition, conflict, history

Tone: intense

Do Say

• 两队在决赛中斗得旗鼓相当，观众看得热血沸腾。(The two teams fought evenly matched in the final, sending the audience's blood boiling.)
• 面对挑衅，她没有选择逃避，而是决定与之正面交斗。(Faced with provocation, she chose not to retreat but to confront it head-on.)

Don't Say

• 我和他斗了一顿饭 — 斗 implies conflict or competition, not sharing a meal; say 我和他一起吃了顿饭

Origin & History

斗 is a pictographic character depicting two figures in confrontation

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal