Definition
争 (zhēng) is a broad verb meaning either 'to contend/vie for' or 'to argue/dispute'. For striving toward a goal, 争取 (zhēngqǔ) is more specific; for a heated competition over something, 争夺 (zhēngduó) is stronger. For verbal disagreement, 争论 (zhēnglùn) is a debate, while 争吵 (zhēngchǎo) is a quarrel.
verb
to contend / to strive for / to vie forto argue / to dispute
Easily confused
- 丁dīnglook-alikefourth in a series (grade D, fourth Heavenly Stem, etc.)
- 正zhèngsound-alike(adverb) exactly, just (at that time or place)
- 整zhěngsound-alikewhole, entire, complete
- 证zhèngsound-alikecertificate, ID card
- 挣zhèngsound-aliketo earn (money)
- 睁zhēngsound-aliketo open (one's eyes)
- 征zhēngsound-aliketo recruit (personnel)
- 蒸zhēngsound-aliketo steam (food)
Examples
- 争。Tā zài bǐsài lǐ zhēng dì yī míng.He is vying for first place in the competition.
- 争。Tāmen wèi yí ge xiǎo wèntí zhēng le yí xiàwǔ.They argued for a whole afternoon over a small problem.
- 争。Liǎng jiā gōngsī zhèngzài zhēng zhège shìchǎng.Two companies are competing for this market.
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