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March 24, 2026
竞争(競爭)jìngzhēng(jing4zheng1)
竞争 (jìngzhēng) means to compete or competition, often in contexts like business, sports, or academics. It conveys the idea of striving against others to achieve a goal or gain an advantage, highlighting the dynamic nature of rivalry.
Frequency#2354DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, competition plays a significant role in education and career advancement, often driving individuals to excel from an early age. The concept of 竞争 is deeply embedded in the philosophy of striving for success.
Memory Tip
Imagine two athletes on a track, both eager to win the race. The character 竞 (jìng) looks like two people running side by side, while the radical 争 (zhēng) symbolizes competition and struggle. Together, they represent the fierce spirit of competition.
Meanings of 竞争
jìngzhēng(jing4zheng1)
1to compete
2competition
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About 竞争
竞争Simplified
競爭Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#2354Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 竞争
Podcast: 竞争
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AI Study Notes for 竞争
Quick Contrast
对抗 (duìkàng) - use 竞争 (jìngzhēng) when emphasizing competition for advantage, while 对抗 (duìkàng) focuses on opposition or resistance against an adversary.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine two athletes on a track, both eager to win the race. The character 竞 (jìng) looks like two people running side by side, while the radical 争 (zhēng) symbolizes competition and struggle. Together, they represent the fierce spirit of competition.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 竞争, as the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. The word is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as business discussions. Common collocations include 竞争对手 (jìngzhēng duìshǒu, competitor) and 竞争力 (jìngzhēnglì, competitiveness).
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 4 HSK word, 竞争 connects to other terms related to rivalry and performance. Students should focus on its use in sentences and practice discussing competitive scenarios to build contextual understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, competition plays a significant role in education and career advancement, often driving individuals to excel from an early age. The concept of 竞争 is deeply embedded in the philosophy of striving for success.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 竞争 with 争论, mistakenly using it in contexts of argument rather than competition. For example, saying '我们在竞争这个观点' (We are competing this point) should be '我们在争论这个观点' (We are debating this point).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 竞争
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Grammar Patterns of 竞争
竞争 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The deal would have reduced competition in the commuter-aircraft market.
Cultural Notes for 竞争
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, competition plays a significant role in education and career advancement, often driving individuals to excel from an early age. The concept of 竞争 is deeply embedded in the philosophy of striving for success.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While competition is valued in both Chinese and Western cultures, in China it is often viewed as a communal effort where success reflects on one's family or group, whereas in the West it may be more individually oriented.
Frequently Asked Questions about 竞争
Some synonyms include 争斗 (zhēngdòu, fight) and 竞争者 (jìngzhēng zhě, competitor).
Yes, 竞争 can be used in various contexts, such as sports, academic settings, or even social situations.
竞争 refers to competing for superiority, while 争论 (zhēnglùn) means to argue or debate.