斗智斗勇 (dòu zhì dòu yǒng) — to compete with both intelligence and courage; a contest of wits and bravery

Definition

A set phrase meaning to match wits and courage against an opponent — a head-to-head contest of cleverness and bravery, not a one-sided effort.

verb
to compete with both intelligence and couragea contest of wits and bravery

Examples

  • 斗智斗勇,。
    Zhè chǎng bǐ sài shuāng fāng dòu zhì dòu yǒng, fēi cháng jīng cǎi.
    In this match, both sides competed with intelligence and courage; it was very exciting.
  • ,斗智斗勇,。
    Tán pàn zhōng, tā men dòu zhì dòu yǒng, zuì hòu dá chéng le xié yì.
    During the negotiations, they engaged in a contest of wits and bravery and finally reached an agreement.
  • ,斗智斗勇。
    Zài zhàn chǎng shàng, jiàng lǐng men xū yào dòu zhì dòu yǒng cái néng qǔ shèng.
    On the battlefield, generals need to compete with both intelligence and courage to win.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

斗智contest of wits
斗dòucontest智zhìintelligence
动宾Verb + object
斗勇contest of bravery
斗dòucontest勇yǒngcourage
动宾Verb + object

The phrase pairs 斗智, a contest of wits, with 斗勇, a contest of bravery, to mean competing on both fronts.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 斗 originally showed a ladle-shaped dipper or cup used to measure grain, held in a hand.

Open 斗 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The early form 智 used 大 (adult), 口 (mouth), and 子 (child): an adult speaking to pass knowledge to a child.

Open 智 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 斗 originally showed a ladle-shaped dipper or cup used to measure grain, held in a hand.

Open 斗 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrong
Sound part声符shēngfú
甬
甬yǒng勇yǒng
Same sound today

勇 pairs 甬, which gives the sound, with 力, a strength part, to mean brave and strong.

Open 勇 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.