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力争 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
力争lìzhēngto work hard forHSK 7, nz, rank #26598, Very Hard
力争lìzhēngto do all one canHSK 7, nz, rank #26598, Very Hard
力争lìzhēngto contend stronglyHSK 7, nz, rank #26598, Very Hard
lìzhēng(li4zheng1) T4
  1. 1to work hard for
  2. 2to do all one can
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March 24, 2026
力争(力爭)lìzhēng(li4zheng1)

The term 力争 (li4 zheng1) means to strive for something with great effort or to contend strongly for a goal. It's often used in contexts where individuals or groups are making considerable efforts to achieve objectives, such as in academic, professional, or competitive environments.

Frequency#26598DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 力争 reflects the value placed on hard work and perseverance, often seen in academic and professional pursuits. The phrase is frequently used in motivational contexts, especially during examination seasons or in competitive business environments.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person using all their strength (力) to strive (争) for a trophy. The character 力 suggests physical power, while 争 brings to mind the idea of contention or competition. Visualizing someone straining to reach that trophy can help solidify both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 力争

lìzhēng(li4zheng1)
1to work hard for
2to do all one can
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 力争

力争Simplified
力爭Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#26598Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCTCEFRC2

Podcast: 力争

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Podcast: 力争

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AI Study Notes for 力争

Quick Contrast

争取 (zhēngqǔ) vs 力争 (lìzhēng): Use 力争 when emphasizing strong effort or contention, while 争取 is more general and can imply seeking or trying to obtain something without the same intensity.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person using all their strength (力) to strive (争) for a trophy. The character 力 suggests physical power, while 争 brings to mind the idea of contention or competition. Visualizing someone straining to reach that trophy can help solidify both the meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in formal contexts, mainly in discussions about goals, ambitions, or competitions. Be cautious with the tones; 力 is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), while 争 has a high, level tone (1st tone). It’s common to see it paired with verbs like 'to achieve' (取得) or 'to win' (赢得).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 力争 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to ambition and effort. Focus on using it in sentences that express determination or competitive spirit, which is common in HSK 6 passages and dialogues.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 力争 reflects the value placed on hard work and perseverance, often seen in academic and professional pursuits. The phrase is frequently used in motivational contexts, especially during examination seasons or in competitive business environments.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 力争 with similar words like 争取 (zheng1 qu3), which also means to strive for but with a slightly different nuance. For example, saying '我力争成功' (wǒ lìzhēng chénggōng) is correct, but saying '我争取成功' (wǒ zhēngqǔ chénggōng) might be more appropriate in some contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 力争

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Component Characters

power
HSK 52 strokes
View full entry
zhēngto strive for
HSK 56 strokes
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Write 力争

Practice writing 力争 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 力争

力争 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他曾努____取让你留在那儿。

He'd put up a real fight to keep you there.

Example Sentences for 力争 (5)

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1
他曾努力争取让你留在那儿。

tā zēng nǔ lì zhēng qǔ ràng nǐ liú zài nà ér。

He'd put up a real fight to keep you there.
2
如果迈克尔赢了,那我一直以来努力争取的一切都将白费。

rú guǒ mài kè ěr yíng le, , nà wǒ yī zhí yǐ lái nǔ lì zhēng qǔ de yī qiē dū jiāng bái。

If Michael won, he would undo everything I have fought for.
3
我们应该为得到自己想要的而不择手段,奋力争取。

wǒ mén yīng gāi wéi dé dào zì jǐ xiǎng yào de ér bù zé shǒu duàn, , fèn lì zhēng。

We're expected to hustle and fight for what we want.
4
他们正在竭尽全力争取把这工作干完.

tā mén zhèng zài jié jìn quán lì zhēng qǔ bǎ zhè gōng zuò gān wán.

They are working on all cylinders to get the job finished.
5
德国正在努力争取直飞航班的开通。

dé guó zhèng zài nǔ lì zhēng qǔ zhí fēi háng bān de kāi tōng。

Germany is pushing for direct flights to be established.

Cultural Notes for 力争

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, 力争 reflects the value placed on hard work and perseverance, often seen in academic and professional pursuits. The phrase is frequently used in motivational contexts, especially during examination seasons or in competitive business environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about 力争

While it's primarily used in formal contexts, you can use it in informal conversations when discussing personal goals, but be mindful of the context.