Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
竞争 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
竞争
jìngzhēng
to compete
HSK 4, vn, 16 strokes, rank #2354, Medium
竞争
jìngzhēng
competition
HSK 4, vn, 16 strokes, rank #2354, Medium
jìngzhēng(jing4zheng1)jing zheng T4
1to compete
2competition
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
竞争(競爭)jìngzhēng(jing4zheng1)
竞争 (jìngzhēng) means to compete or competition, often in contexts like business, sports, or academics. It conveys the idea of striving against others to achieve a goal or gain an advantage, highlighting the dynamic nature of rivalry.
Strokes16Frequency#2354DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, competition plays a significant role in education and career advancement, often driving individuals to excel from an early age. The concept of 竞争 is deeply embedded in the philosophy of striving for success.
Memory tip
Imagine two athletes on a track, both eager to win the race. The character 竞 (jìng) looks like two people running side by side, while the radical 争 (zhēng) symbolizes competition and struggle. Together, they represent the fierce spirit of competition.
Meanings of 竞争
jìngzhēng(jing4zheng1)
1to compete
2competition
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 竞争 means.
About 竞争
竞争Simplified
競爭Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#2354Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 竞争
Podcast: 竞争
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 竞争
Quick Contrast
对抗 (duìkàng) - use 竞争 (jìngzhēng) when emphasizing competition for advantage, while 对抗 (duìkàng) focuses on opposition or resistance against an adversary.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 竞争, as the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. The word is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as business discussions. Common collocations include 竞争对手 (jìngzhēng duìshǒu, competitor) and 竞争力 (jìngzhēnglì, competitiveness).
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 4 HSK word, 竞争 connects to other terms related to rivalry and performance. Students should focus on its use in sentences and practice discussing competitive scenarios to build contextual understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 竞争 with 争论, mistakenly using it in contexts of argument rather than competition. For example, saying '我们在竞争这个观点' (We are competing this point) should be '我们在争论这个观点' (We are debating this point).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 竞争
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 竞争, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 竞争 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 竞争?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 竞争 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
竞争 (jìngzhēng) means to compete or competition, often in contexts like business, sports, or academics. It conveys the idea of striving against others to achieve a goal or gain an advantage, highlighting the dynamic nature of rivalry.
When to use 竞争
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 竞争, as the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. The word is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as business discussions. Common collocations include 竞争对手 (jìngzhēng duìshǒu, competitor) and 竞争力 (jìngzhēnglì, competitiveness).
竞争 or something close to it
对抗 (duìkàng) - use 竞争 (jìngzhēng) when emphasizing competition for advantage, while 对抗 (duìkàng) focuses on opposition or resistance against an adversary.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 竞争 with 争论, mistakenly using it in contexts of argument rather than competition. For example, saying '我们在竞争这个观点' (We are competing this point) should be '我们在争论这个观点' (We are debating this point).
Write 竞争
竞
争
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 竞争 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 竞争
竞争 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 2 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.
To increase market share, many companies are fiercely competing in the technology sector.
12
在现代社会，企业之间的竞争不仅仅限于价格，而是服务和创新的竞争。
Zài xiàndài shèhuì, qǐyè zhī jiān de jìngzhēng bù jǐn jǐn xiànyú jiàgé, ér shì fúwù hé chuàngxīn de jìngzhēng.
In modern society, competition between companies is not limited to price but extends to service and innovation.
vncompetition3
13
为了赢得客户，两家公司展开了激烈的竞争。
Wèile yíngdé kèhù, liǎng jiā gōngsī zhǎnkāi le jīliè de jìngzhēng.
To win customers, the two companies engaged in fierce competition.
14
在职场上，适当的竞争可以激发员工的潜力。
Zài zhíchǎng shàng, shìdàng de jìngzhēng kěyǐ jīfā yuángōng de qiánlì.
In the workplace, appropriate competition can unleash employees' potential.
15
小李参加了学校的演讲比赛，因为他喜欢竞争。
Xiǎo Lǐ cānjiā le xuéxiào de yǎnjiǎng bǐsài, yīnwèi tā xǐhuān jìngzhēng.
Xiao Li participated in the school's speech contest because he likes competition.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 竞争?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 竞争
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While competition is valued in both Chinese and Western cultures, in China it is often viewed as a communal effort where success reflects on one's family or group, whereas in the West it may be more individually oriented.
Frequently asked questions about 竞争
Some synonyms include 争斗 (zhēngdòu, fight) and 竞争者 (jìngzhēng zhě, competitor).
Yes, 竞争 can be used in various contexts, such as sports, academic settings, or even social situations.
竞争 refers to competing for superiority, while 争论 (zhēnglùn) means to argue or debate.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 竞争?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
