抗衡

• Pinyin: kàng héng
• Hanzi breakdown: 抗 = 扌(hand) + 亢 (high, resist); 衡 = 行 (go) + 鱼 (fish) + 大 (big) — balance, equilibrium

Meaning

To contend with; to rival; to match in strength or influence.

To compete or match up against something of comparable power. Often used for large-scale competition — nations, corporations, forces — rather than individuals. Implies rough equality in the contest. Collocates with 与...抗衡 (contend with), 势力 (power), 难以抗衡 (hard to rival).

Examples

1. 这家初创公司在短短五年内已经能够与行业巨头抗衡。 This startup has been able to rival industry giants in just five short years.
2. 小国在军事上难以与超级大国抗衡，只能寻求外交途径。 Small nations find it hard to contend militarily with superpowers and can only seek diplomatic solutions.
3. 没有任何力量能与时代的潮流相抗衡。 No force can contend with the tide of the times.

Usage Guide

Context: competition, politics, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 与对手抗衡。(To contend with rivals.)
• 这两个品牌势均力敌，难分高下。(These two brands are evenly matched — hard to tell which is better.)

Don't Say

• 我和他抗衡下棋。(For casual games, use 比赛 or 对弈; 抗衡 is for large-scale rivalry, not chess matches)

Origin & History

抗 (to resist) + 衡 (balance, scale). To resist while maintaining balance — to match in a contest.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal