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较劲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
较劲jiàojìnto match one's strength withHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #18619, Very Hard
较劲jiàojìnto competeHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #18619, Very Hard
较劲jiàojìnmore competitiveHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #18619, Very Hard
较劲jiàojìnto set oneself against sbHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #18619, Very Hard
较劲jiàojìndisobligingHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #18619, Very Hard
较劲jiàojìnto make a special effortHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #18619, Very Hard
jiàojìn(jiao4jin4)jiao jin T4
  1. 1to match one's strength with
  2. 2to compete
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March 24, 2026

较劲(較勁)jiàojìn(jiao4jin4)

较劲 (jiàojìn) refers to the act of competing or matching one's strength against someone else. It often implies a more competitive spirit or effort to outdo others, and can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as in sports or discussions.

Strokes17Frequency#18619DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, competition is often viewed as a positive force for motivation and improvement, especially in education and sports. The phrase 较劲 reflects this cultural emphasis on striving to excel and outperform others.

Memory tip

Imagine two athletes in a tug-of-war, both pulling with all their might, which represents the character 较 (jiào) for 'to compare' and 劲 (jìn) for 'strength'. The image of them straining against each other helps to connect the components to the idea of competition.

Meanings of 较劲

jiàojìn(jiao4jin4)
1to match one's strength with
2to compete
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About 较劲

较劲Simplified
較勁Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 较劲

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AI study notes for 较劲

Quick Contrast

较劲 (jiàojìn) vs 竞争 (jìngzhēng): use 较劲 when emphasizing a spirited contest of strength, while 竞争 focuses more broadly on competition in various contexts.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in informal contexts and can imply a sense of rivalry or challenge. A common mistake is to use it in overly formal situations; it is better suited for casual conversations. Be cautious of using the correct tone, as both characters are fourth tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 较劲 is not an HSK word, understanding it can enhance your vocabulary at HSK Level 4 and above, where competitive and comparative phrases become more common. Focus on the context of competition in conversations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 较劲 in overly formal contexts, thinking it means simply 'to compete' without understanding its competitive nuance. For example, saying '我们在会议上较劲' (We compete in the meeting) might not capture the intended meaning; a better choice would be '我们在比赛中较劲'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 较劲

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Component characters

较jiàocomparatively
HSK 510 strokes车
View full entry
劲jìnstrength
HSK 77 strokes力
View full entry

How to say to match one's strength with in Chinese

“to match one's strength with” in Chinese is较劲jiàojìn

较劲 (jiàojìn) refers to the act of competing or matching one's strength against someone else. It often implies a more competitive spirit or effort to outdo others, and can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as in sports or discussions.

When to use 较劲

This term is often used in informal contexts and can imply a sense of rivalry or challenge. A common mistake is to use it in overly formal situations; it is better suited for casual conversations. Be cautious of using the correct tone, as both characters are fourth tone.

较劲 or something close to it

较劲 (jiàojìn) vs 竞争 (jìngzhēng): use 较劲 when emphasizing a spirited contest of strength, while 竞争 focuses more broadly on competition in various contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 较劲 in overly formal contexts, thinking it means simply 'to compete' without understanding its competitive nuance. For example, saying '我们在会议上较劲' (We compete in the meeting) might not capture the intended meaning; a better choice would be '我们在比赛中较劲'.

Write 较劲

较
劲

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Cultural Notes for 较劲

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While competition is valued in both Chinese and Western cultures, in China, it is often more collective, with an emphasis on group achievements rather than individual victories.

Frequently asked questions about 较劲

No, 较劲 is more suitable for informal situations, often related to friendly competition.

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