竞选

• Pinyin: jìng xuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 竞 = two 兄 competing — rivalry; 选 = 辶(walk) + 巽 (arrange, phonetic) — to choose through deliberate selection

Meaning

To run for election; to campaign for a position.

The standard term for standing as a candidate in an election — whether for public office, school council, or corporate positions. Implies an active campaign to win votes or support. Used in both formal political contexts and informal organisational settings.

Examples

1. 她决定竞选市长，并发表了一篇激情澎湃的竞选演说。 She decided to run for mayor and delivered a passionate campaign speech.
2. 这次学生会主席竞选吸引了十多名同学报名参加。 This student council president election attracted more than ten students to sign up.
3. 他在竞选失败后表示会继续关注民生问题，并期待下一届。 After his election defeat, he said he would continue paying attention to people's livelihood issues and looks forward to the next round.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, elections, organizational

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他宣布将正式参加下届议会竞选。(He announced he would formally run in the next parliamentary election.)
• 竞选团队已经开始制定宣传策略。(The campaign team has already begun formulating publicity strategies.)

Don't Say

• 他竞选了奖学金。(奖学金 is awarded, not elected — use 申请 (apply) instead of 竞选)

Origin & History

竞 (to compete) + 选 (to elect, to select). Together: to compete in a selection/election. A modern political compound adopted from democratic governance concepts.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal