Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
挑战 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
挑战tiǎozhànto challengeHSK 5, vn, rank #1416, Medium
挑战tiǎozhànchallengeHSK 5, vn, rank #1416, Medium
tiǎozhàn(tiao3zhan4) T3
  1. 1to challenge
  2. 2challenge
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
挑战(挑戰)tiǎozhàn(tiao3zhan4)

The word 挑战 (tiǎozhàn) means 'to challenge' or 'a challenge'. It can refer to both the act of challenging someone or something, as well as the challenge itself. Commonly used in contexts of competition, personal growth, or confronting difficulties.

Frequency#1416DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, challenges are often viewed positively as opportunities for growth and improvement, reflecting the value placed on perseverance and resilience. This is especially evident in educational and professional settings, where facing challenges is encouraged.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person (the radical 挑) holding a flag (the radical 战) at the top of a mountain, symbolizing a challenge that must be faced. The '挑' part can remind you of 'to pick' or 'to choose', suggesting the act of choosing to take on a challenge, while '战' relates to battle, reinforcing the idea of a competition or fight.

Meanings of 挑战

tiǎozhàn(tiao3zhan4)
1to challenge
2challenge
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 挑战

挑战Simplified
挑戰Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#1416Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 挑战

JasonAmy

Podcast: 挑战

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 挑战

Quick Contrast

挑战 (tiǎozhàn) vs 竞争 (jìngzhēng) — use 挑战 for personal or subjective challenges, while 竞争 refers specifically to competition between entities.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person (the radical 挑) holding a flag (the radical 战) at the top of a mountain, symbolizing a challenge that must be faced. The '挑' part can remind you of 'to pick' or 'to choose', suggesting the act of choosing to take on a challenge, while '战' relates to battle, reinforcing the idea of a competition or fight.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 挑战 with other similar words like '挑战性' (tiǎozhànxìng), which means 'challenging nature'. This term is informal and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. Common collocations include '面对挑战' (miànduì tiǎozhàn) meaning 'to face a challenge'.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 挑战 connects well with other action verbs and nouns related to competition and personal development. Students should focus on using it in sentences that reflect both its verbal and nominal forms, enhancing their understanding of context.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, challenges are often viewed positively as opportunities for growth and improvement, reflecting the value placed on perseverance and resilience. This is especially evident in educational and professional settings, where facing challenges is encouraged.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 挑战 with other similar verbs like 促进 (cùjìn, to promote). For example, saying '我促进了这项挑战' (I promoted this challenge) is incorrect; instead, use '我面对了这项挑战' (I faced this challenge).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 挑战

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 挑战 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

挑tiāoto carry on a shoulder pole
HSK 59 strokes扌
View full entry
战zhànto fight
HSK 69 strokes戈
View full entry

Write 挑战

挑
战

Practice writing 挑战 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 挑战

挑战 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.

Related grammar lessons4
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

对初学者来说，声调是最大的____。

For beginners, tones are the biggest challenge.

Example Sentences for 挑战 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这名重量级拳击冠军将尝试挑战霍利菲尔德的世界冠军头衔。

zhè míng zhòng liáng jí quán jī guān jūn jiāng cháng shì tiāo zhàn huò lì fēi ěr dé de shì jiè guān jūn tóu xián。

The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.
2
试试网球、羽毛球或帆板运动吧。总之，只要是有挑战性的。

shì shì wǎng qiú、 、 yǔ máo qiú huò fān bǎn yùn dòng。 bā 。， zǒng zhī ， zhī yào shì yǒu tiāo。

Try tennis, badminton or windsurfing. In short, anything challenging.
3
很多人喜欢富有挑战性的工作所带来的强烈的精神刺激。

hěn duō rén xǐ huān fù yǒu tiāo zhàn xìng de gōng zuò suǒ dài lái de qiáng liè de jīng shén cì jī。

Many enjoy the mental stimulation of a challenging job.
4
我提出挑战，但是没人回应。

wǒ tí chū tiāo zhàn， ， dàn shì méi rén huí。

I called out a challenge, but there was no reply.
5
他说他明年还愿意接受类似的挑战。

tā shuō tā míng nián huán yuàn yì jiē shòu lèi sì de tiāo zhàn。

He said he's game for a similar challenge next year.
6
我愿意接受更大的挑战。

wǒ yuàn yì jiē shòu gēng dà de tiāo zhàn。

I'm ready to do all those things which are more challenging.
7
我正想换工作，想尝试点不一样的事情来挑战一下自己。

wǒ zhèng xiǎng huàn gōng zuò， ， xiǎng cháng shì diǎn bù yī yàng de shì qíng lái tiāo zhàn yī xià zì。

I'm trying to move on and stretch myself with something different.
8
越来越多的酿酒商开始接受种植黑皮诺葡萄的挑战。

yuè lái yuè duō de niàng jiǔ shāng kāi shǐ jiē shòu zhǒng zhí hēi pí nuò pú táo de tiāo zhàn。

Increasingly, more wine-makers are taking up the challenge of growing Pinot Noir.
9
从今天起，我要积极接受一切，接受爱，迎接挑战，拥抱生活，不管什么事，我都会勇敢地去接受。

cóng jīn tiān qǐ， ， wǒ yào jī jí jiē shòu yī， qiē ， jiē， shòu ài ， yíng， jiē tiāo zhàn ，， yōng bào shēng huó ，， bù guǎn shí mó shì ， wǒ dū huì。

From now on, I'm gonna say yes--yes to love, yes to adventure, yes to life, whatever it maybe, the answer's going to be yes.
10
这场比赛可能是挑战者获胜, 他只要再得两分就得冠军了.

zhè cháng bǐ sài kě néng shì tiāo zhàn zhě huò shèng, , tā zhī yào zài dé liǎng fēn jiù dé guān jūn.

This could be the winning game for the challenger, who only needs two more points for the championship.

Cultural Notes for 挑战

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, challenges are often viewed positively as opportunities for growth and improvement, reflecting the value placed on perseverance and resilience. This is especially evident in educational and professional settings, where facing challenges is encouraged.

Frequently Asked Questions about 挑战

You can say '我想挑战自己' (I want to challenge myself) to express personal growth.