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March 24, 2026
斗争(鬥爭)dòuzhēng(dou4zheng1)
斗争 (dòuzhēng) refers to a struggle or fight, often in a political or ideological context. It conveys the idea of overcoming obstacles or adversaries, and is commonly used to describe conflicts, both personal and collective, that involve effort and determination.
Frequency#3725DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
斗争 is often associated with the Chinese revolutionary history, where it was used to describe the struggles against oppression and the fight for social justice. This term holds significant weight in discussions about China's political past and present.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce '斗' (dòu) between two characters in a story, each fighting for what they believe in. The '争' (zhēng) represents the struggle itself, like two warriors battling it out. Together they form '斗争', capturing the essence of a vigorous fight.
Meanings of 斗争
dòuzhēng(dou4zheng1)
1a struggle
2fight
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About 斗争
斗争Simplified
鬥爭Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#3725Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 斗争
Podcast: 斗争
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AI Study Notes for 斗争
Quick Contrast
抗争 (kàngzhēng) — use 斗争 (dòuzhēng) for a broader struggle that encompasses various types of conflicts, while 抗争 (kàngzhēng) specifically emphasizes resistance against oppression or injustice.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fierce '斗' (dòu) between two characters in a story, each fighting for what they believe in. The '争' (zhēng) represents the struggle itself, like two warriors battling it out. Together they form '斗争', capturing the essence of a vigorous fight.
Usage Notes
斗争 can often carry a serious tone, especially in discussions about politics or social issues. Be careful not to use it in overly casual contexts, as it might sound too intense. Common collocations include '阶级斗争' (class struggle) and '斗争精神' (spirit of struggle).
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 HSK word, 斗争 connects with other terms related to conflict and effort, such as 战斗 (zhàndòu, battle) and 争取 (zhēngqǔ, to strive for). Focus on using it in formal contexts related to societal issues for better fluency.
Cultural Note
斗争 is often associated with the Chinese revolutionary history, where it was used to describe the struggles against oppression and the fight for social justice. This term holds significant weight in discussions about China's political past and present.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 斗争 in casual conversation, which can make the tone overly serious; for instance, saying '我在斗争工作' (I am struggling at work) is inappropriate; instead, you could say '我在努力工作' (I am working hard).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 斗争
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Grammar Patterns of 斗争
斗争 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.
Reading this book, we can identify with the main character's struggle.
8
她在英国首相官邸外发表讲话时宣称她将继续斗争下去。
tā zài yīng guó shǒu xiāng guān dǐ wài fā biǎo jiǎng huà shí xuān chēng tā jiāng jì xù dǒu zhēng xià qù。
Speaking outside Ten Downing Street, she declared that she would fight on.
9
他要同那些不让学徒吃饱的师傅斗争.
tā yào tóng nà xiē bù ràng xué tú chī bǎo de shī fù dǒu zhēng.
He wanted to fight the masters who starved their apprentices.
10
她始终抱乐观态度同疾病斗争。
tā shǐ zhōng bào lè guān tài dù tóng jí bìng dǒu zhēng。
She fought the disease with unfailing good humour .
Cultural Notes for 斗争
🏮Cultural insight
斗争 is often associated with the Chinese revolutionary history, where it was used to describe the struggles against oppression and the fight for social justice. This term holds significant weight in discussions about China's political past and present.
Frequently Asked Questions about 斗争
While it can be used informally, 斗争 typically carries a serious tone and is better suited for discussions on conflict or struggle.
Yes, 斗争 is broader and often implies ideological or political struggles, while 战斗 specifically refers to physical battles.
Practice saying 'dòuzhēng' while visualizing the struggle between two opposing forces, reinforcing both the meaning and sound.
