Meaning of 挑战
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to challenge; to take on a challenge; a challenge
How to use 挑战
挑战 works as a noun (a challenge) and as a verb (to challenge someone or something). It is common in talk about work, sports, and personal goals, often with 接受 (jiēshòu, to accept) or 面对 (miànduì, to face). Example: 这份工作很有挑战。(Zhè fèn gōngzuò hěn yǒu tiǎozhàn.) This job is very challenging.
挑 (tiǎo) has the hand radical 扌, like a hand stirring up trouble, and 战 (zhàn) means war or fight, as in 战争 (zhànzhēng). Picture a hand poking an opponent to start a fight: that is a challenge.
Common mistake: The character 挑 has two readings. In 挑战 it is third tone tiǎo, but in 挑选 (tiāoxuǎn, to choose) it is first tone tiāo, and learners often mix them up. Also, do not write 战 with 占 on the wrong side; 占 is on the left and 戈 is on the right.
挑战 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
挑 tiāo · to carry on a shoulder pole · 9 strokes
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战 zhàn · war · 9 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 挑战.
| 战争 | zhànzhēng | war; conflict |
| 战斗 | zhàndòu | to fight; to engage in combat |
| 战士 | zhànshì | fighter; soldier |
| 战胜 | zhànshèng | to prevail over; to defeat |
| 挑选 | tiāoxuǎn | to choose; to select |
| 作战 | zuòzhàn | combat; to fight |
| 战场 | zhànchǎng | battlefield |
| 战术 | zhànshù | tactics |
| 战略 | zhànlüè | strategy |
| 战友 | zhànyǒu | comrade-in-arms; battle companion |
| 挑剔 | tiāoti | picky; fussy |
| 挑起 | tiǎoqǐ | to provoke; to stir up |
Questions about 挑战
What does 挑战 mean?
挑战 (tiǎozhàn) means "to challenge; to take on a challenge; a challenge".
How do you write 挑战?
挑战 is made of 2 characters: 挑 (9 strokes), 战 (9 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 挑战 an HSK word?
Yes. 挑战 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 挑战 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 挑战 is written 挑戰.
How do I say challenging in Chinese?
Use 有挑战 (yǒu tiǎozhàn) or 有挑战性 (yǒu tiǎozhànxìng). For example, 这个任务很有挑战性 means this task is very challenging.
Can 挑战 take a direct object?
Yes. You can say 挑战自己 (tiǎozhàn zìjǐ, to challenge yourself) or 挑战世界纪录 (tiǎozhàn shìjiè jìlù, to challenge the world record). You can also use 向 + person + 挑战, as in 向他挑战, to challenge him.