Meaning of 争夺
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to fight over
- to contest
- to vie over
How to use 争夺
争夺 is used when two or more parties compete for something specific, such as a title, a market, resources, or territory. It usually takes a direct object and often appears in news and sports. Example: 两个队在争夺冠军。(Liǎng gè duì zài zhēngduó guànjūn.) The two teams are fighting for the championship.
争 (zhēng) means to strive or contend, and 夺 (duó) means to seize or take by force. Put them together and you get two sides contending to grab the same thing.
Common mistake: Learners often use 争夺 where 争取 (zhēngqǔ) fits better. 争取 means working hard to get something, like 争取机会 (to strive for a chance). 争夺 implies taking it from rivals. Also, 夺 is second tone (duó), not fourth.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
争 zhēng · to strive for · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
夺 duó · to seize · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 争夺.
| 争取 | zhēngqǔ | to fight for; to strive for |
| 战争 | zhànzhēng | war; conflict |
| 争论 | zhēnglùn | to argue; to debate |
| 竞争 | jìngzhēng | to compete; competition |
| 争议 | zhēngyì | controversy; dispute |
| 斗争 | dòuzhēng | a struggle; fight |
| 夺取 | duóqǔ | to seize; to capture |
| 争吵 | zhēngchǎo | to quarrel; dispute |
| 剥夺 | bōduó | to deprive; to expropriate |
| 抗争 | kàngzhēng | to resist; to make a stand and fight (against) |
| 争执 | zhēngzhí | to dispute; to disagree |
| 掠夺 | lüèduó | to plunder; to rob |
Questions about 争夺
What does 争夺 mean?
争夺 (zhēngduó) means "to fight over; to contest" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 争夺?
争夺 is made of 2 characters: 争 (6 strokes), 夺 (6 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 争夺 an HSK word?
Yes. 争夺 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 争夺 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 争夺 is written 爭奪.
What is the difference between 争夺 and 竞争?
竞争 (jìngzhēng) means to compete in general and can also be a noun, as in 竞争很激烈 (the competition is fierce). 争夺 focuses on the prize being fought over and normally needs an object, as in 争夺市场 (to fight over the market).
Can 争夺 be used for people arguing in daily life?
Not usually. For arguing with words, use 争论 (zhēnglùn) or 吵架 (chǎojià). 争夺 sounds formal and is about competing to possess something, though you can say 孩子们争夺玩具 for kids fighting over a toy.