抗争

• Pinyin: kàng zhēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 抗 = 扌(hand) + 亢 (resist); 争 = 爫 (claw) + 彐 (hand) — to fight, compete

Meaning

To struggle against; to resist; to fight back.

Active resistance or struggle against oppression, injustice, or difficult circumstances. More intense than 抗拒 — implies sustained effort and conflict. Often used in political, social, or historical contexts. Collocates with 命运 (fate), 不公 (injustice), 精神 (spirit).

Examples

1. 工人们为争取合理的工资待遇进行了长期的抗争。 The workers engaged in a long struggle for reasonable wages and benefits.
2. 她一生都在与病魔抗争，却从未放弃希望。 She spent her whole life fighting against illness, yet never gave up hope.
3. 历史上无数先辈为民族独立进行过艰苦的抗争。 Throughout history, countless predecessors carried out difficult struggles for national independence.

Usage Guide

Context: social movements, history, personal struggles

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 与命运抗争。(To struggle against fate.)
• 抗争精神值得敬佩。(The spirit of resistance is admirable.)

Don't Say

• 我跟朋友抗争了一下午。(For arguments with friends, use 争吵 or 争论; 抗争 is for serious resistance against oppression)

Origin & History

抗 (to resist) + 争 (to fight, contend). To resist by fighting — active struggle.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal