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March 24, 2026
争夺(爭奪)zhēngduó(zheng1duo2)
争夺 (zhēngduó) means to fight over or contest something, often used in contexts where individuals or groups are competing for resources, rights, or recognition. It can imply a sense of struggle or rivalry, commonly seen in both personal and political contexts.
Frequency#5500DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
争夺 is often used in the context of Chinese history, such as in the Three Kingdoms period, where different factions fought fiercely for power and territory, highlighting the cultural significance of competition and rivalry in Chinese narratives.
Memory Tip
Think of 争 (zhēng) as a person with arms outstretched, ready to 'fight' for something, while 夺 (duó) looks like a person snatching something away. Together, they evoke a vivid image of a contest or struggle over possessions.
Meanings of 争夺
zhēngduó(zheng1duo2)
1to fight over
2to contest
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 争夺
争夺Simplified
爭奪Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5500Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 争夺
Podcast: 争夺
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AI Study Notes for 争夺
Quick Contrast
争取 (zhēngqǔ) - use 争夺 for situations involving direct competition or conflict, while 争取 emphasizes effort to obtain something without necessarily implying rivalry.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 争 (zhēng) as a person with arms outstretched, ready to 'fight' for something, while 夺 (duó) looks like a person snatching something away. Together, they evoke a vivid image of a contest or struggle over possessions.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 争夺 with simply 争 (to argue) or 夺 (to seize), as 争夺 implies an active competition. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, so it's suitable for discussions about politics, sports, or business.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 6, focus on using 争夺 in complex sentences that involve competition or conflict. Connect it with other words related to competition, such as 竞争 (jìngzhēng, to compete) or 对抗 (duìkàng, to confront).
Cultural Note
争夺 is often used in the context of Chinese history, such as in the Three Kingdoms period, where different factions fought fiercely for power and territory, highlighting the cultural significance of competition and rivalry in Chinese narratives.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 争夺 with merely争, which implies arguing rather than competing. For example, saying '我们在争夺观点' (We are contesting viewpoints) is incorrect; it should be '我们在争论观点' (We are arguing about viewpoints).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 争夺
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Grammar Patterns of 争夺
争夺 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 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
双方将在12月16日再次交锋以____进入四分之一决赛的席位。
The sides must battle again for a quarter-final place on December
Fishermen from Bristol disputed fishing rights with the Danes.
6
一家若有两只或更多的猫，也会表现出争夺地盘的行为。
yī jiā ruò yǒu liǎng zhī huò gēng duō de māo， ， yě huì biǎo xiàn chū zhēng duó dì pán de háng。
Two cats or more in one house will also exhibit territorial behaviour.
7
第三名的争夺紧张激烈。
dì sān míng de zhēng duó jǐn zhāng jī liè。
The battle for third place was intense.
8
他们将为总额近3,000英镑的奖金展开争夺。
tā mén jiāng wéi zǒng é jìn3,000 3,000 yīng bàng de jiǎng jīn zhǎn kāi zhēng。
They will compete for prizes totalling nearly £3,
9
他们明白他们正处于一场零和博弈中，双方必须针锋相对，争夺那少得可怜的资源。
tā mén míng bái tā mén zhèng chǔ yú yī cháng líng hé bó yì zhōng， ， shuāng fāng bì xū zhēn fēng xiāng， duì ， zhēng duó nà shǎo dé kě lián de。
They believe they're playing a zero-sum game, where both must compete for the same paltry resources.
Cultural Notes for 争夺
🏮Cultural insight
争夺 is often used in the context of Chinese history, such as in the Three Kingdoms period, where different factions fought fiercely for power and territory, highlighting the cultural significance of competition and rivalry in Chinese narratives.
Frequently Asked Questions about 争夺
While it's technically correct, 争夺 is more formal and is better suited for discussions about serious conflicts or competitions.
No, it can refer to any type of contest or competition, not just physical altercations.
It's best to reserve 争夺 for more intense or serious competitions, as it carries a connotation of struggle.
