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March 24, 2026
争议(爭議)zhēngyì(zheng1yi4)
争议 (zhēngyì) refers to a disagreement or controversy over a particular issue. It is often used in contexts such as politics, law, and social issues, where differing opinions lead to debates or disputes. Understanding this term is crucial for engaging in discussions about contentious topics in Mandarin.
Frequency#7477DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese society, 争议 often arises in discussions about public policy, environmental issues, and historical events, reflecting the importance of collective opinion and social harmony. Chinese media frequently covers controversial topics that spark public debate.
Memory Tip
Imagine a group of people (争) fighting (议) over a controversial topic, like a heated debate at a town hall. The combination of '争' (to fight) and '议' (to discuss) helps you remember that 争议 involves both disagreement and discussion.
Meanings of 争议
zhēngyì(zheng1yi4)
1controversy
2dispute
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 争议
争议Simplified
爭議Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7477Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 争议
Podcast: 争议
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AI Study Notes for 争议
Quick Contrast
争论 (zhēnglùn) — use 争议 when referring to a broader controversy that encompasses multiple viewpoints, whereas 争论 focuses more on the act of debating or arguing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a group of people (争) fighting (议) over a controversial topic, like a heated debate at a town hall. The combination of '争' (to fight) and '议' (to discuss) helps you remember that 争议 involves both disagreement and discussion.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 争议, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning. It is often used in formal contexts, so it’s suitable for academic discussions or news reports. Common collocations include '引发争议' (to spark controversy) and '争议问题' (controversial issue).
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 word, 争议 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to debate and discussion, such as 讨论 (tǎolùn, discussion) and 辩论 (biànlùn, debate). Focus on using it in sentences that reflect its nuanced meanings in academic or formal contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese society, 争议 often arises in discussions about public policy, environmental issues, and historical events, reflecting the importance of collective opinion and social harmony. Chinese media frequently covers controversial topics that spark public debate.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 争议 with 争论 (argument), thinking they are interchangeable. While both involve disagreement, 争议 emphasizes the broader concept of controversy, whereas 争论 focuses on the act of arguing. For example, saying '我们有一个争论' (We have a controversy) should be corrected to '我们有一个争议'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 争议
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Grammar Patterns of 争议
争议 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
仅仅根据有____的目击者证言和供词就定了罪。
The convictions rest solely on disputed witness and confessional statements.
Example Sentences for 争议 (7)
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1
仅仅根据有争议的目击者证言和供词就定了罪。
jǐn jǐn gēn jù yǒu zhēng yì de mù jī zhě zhèng yán hé gōng cí jiù dìng le zuì。
The convictions rest solely on disputed witness and confessional statements.
2
这一次他有争议地落选了球队。
zhè yī cì tā yǒu zhēng yì dì luò xuǎn le qiú duì。
This time he was conten-tiously omitted from the team.
3
她不是个真正意义上的女权主义者，但却是个颇具争议的人物。
tā bù shì gè zhēn zhèng yì yì shàng de nǚ quán zhǔ yì zhě， ， dàn què shì gè pō jù zhēng yì de rén。
She's not feminist with a capital F but she's fairly controversial.
4
制裁可能会是争议最大的问题之一。
zhì cái kě néng huì shì zhēng yì zuì dà de wèn tí zhī yī。
Sanctions are expected to be among the most contentious issues.
The boys had an altercation over the umpire's decision.
7
颇有争议的话题
pō yǒu zhēng yì de huà tí
a highly controversial topic
Cultural Notes for 争议
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese society, 争议 often arises in discussions about public policy, environmental issues, and historical events, reflecting the importance of collective opinion and social harmony. Chinese media frequently covers controversial topics that spark public debate.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, controversy is often embraced as a means of fostering dialogue, while in Chinese culture, there may be a tendency to avoid confrontation to maintain harmony, making 争议 a sensitive topic.
Frequently Asked Questions about 争议
You can say '这个问题引发了很多争议' (This issue has sparked a lot of controversy).
争议 is typically used in formal settings, such as academic discussions or news articles.
A synonym is 争论 (zhēnglùn), which also means debate or argument.
