Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
战争(戰爭)zhànzhēng(zhan4zheng1)
战争 refers to a state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country. It often involves organized military forces and can arise from political, economic, or ideological disputes. This term is commonly used in historical, political, and media contexts.
Frequency#979DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, wars have significantly shaped the development of the nation, with events like the Opium Wars and the Chinese Civil War deeply influencing modern Chinese society and politics. Understanding 战争 allows learners to grasp the impact of these historical conflicts on contemporary China.
Memory Tip
Think of 战 (zhàn) as a battlefield where soldiers are engaged in combat, and 争 (zhēng) as a struggle or fight. Together, they create the image of a fierce battle where conflict is inevitable, helping you remember that 战争 means war.
Meanings of 战争
zhànzhēng(zhan4zheng1)
1war
2conflict
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 战争
战争Simplified
戰爭Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#979Frequency Rank
场Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 战争
Podcast: 战争
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 战争
Quick Contrast
冲突 (chōngtú) refers to a conflict that may not involve armed forces, while 战争 (zhànzhēng) specifically denotes a state of armed conflict.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 战 (zhàn) as a battlefield where soldiers are engaged in combat, and 争 (zhēng) as a struggle or fight. Together, they create the image of a fierce battle where conflict is inevitable, helping you remember that 战争 means war.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 战争 with other terms for conflict, like 争吵 (zhēngchǎo), which means argument. The word is formal and often used in serious discussions, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '战争爆发' (break out of war) and '战争期间' (during the war).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, students should focus on understanding the term in both historical and contemporary contexts. It relates to other words like '和平' (hépíng, peace) and '冲突' (chōngtū, conflict), enriching vocabulary around topics of conflict and resolution.
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, wars have significantly shaped the development of the nation, with events like the Opium Wars and the Chinese Civil War deeply influencing modern Chinese society and politics. Understanding 战争 allows learners to grasp the impact of these historical conflicts on contemporary China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 战争 by applying it to minor disputes, for example saying '我们今天有战争' (We have war today), when they mean a simple argument. The correct phrase would be '我们今天有争论' (We have a debate today).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 战争
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 战争 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 战争 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 战争
战争 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
As regards the war, Haig believed in victory at any price.
6
贝内特发起了一场捍卫“道德价值”、反对腐朽堕落的“自由相对论”的战争。
bèi nèi tè fā qǐ le yī cháng hàn wèi“ “ dào dé jià”、 zhí ”、 fǎn duì fǔ xiǔ duò“ luò de “ zì yóu” xiāng duì lùn。
Bennett launched a crusade for "moral values" against decadent "liberal relativism."
7
战争爆发时，他作为敌国人士遭到关押。
zhàn zhēng bào fā shí， ， tā zuò wéi dí guó rén shì zāo dào guān。
When war broke out, he was interned as an enemy alien.
8
他的受审重新勾起了在战争中受苦受难的法国人民的回忆。
tā de shòu shěn zhòng xīn gōu qǐ le zài zhàn zhēng zhōng shòu kǔ shòu nán de fǎ guó rén mín de huí yì。
His trial revived memories of French suffering during the war.
9
他在战争中的英勇行为后来被改编成一部电影。
tā zài zhàn zhēng zhōng de yīng yǒng háng wéi hòu lái bèi gǎi biān chéng yī bù diàn yǐng。
His wartime exploits were later made into a film.
10
这场战斗有可能会演变为全面的战争。
zhè cháng zhàn dǒu yǒu kě néng huì yǎn biàn wéi quán miàn de zhàn zhēng。
The fighting is threatening to turn into full-scale war.
Cultural Notes for 战争
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese history, wars have significantly shaped the development of the nation, with events like the Opium Wars and the Chinese Civil War deeply influencing modern Chinese society and politics. Understanding 战争 allows learners to grasp the impact of these historical conflicts on contemporary China.
Frequently Asked Questions about 战争
No, it is typically reserved for formal discussions about military conflict or historical events.
Not exactly; it specifically refers to war, while other terms may be more appropriate for smaller conflicts or disputes.
