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争气 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
争气zhēngqìto work hard for sthHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, rank #21881, Very Hard
争气zhēngqìto resolve on improvementHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, rank #21881, Very Hard
争气zhēngqìdetermined not to fall shortHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, rank #21881, Very Hard
zhēngqì(zheng1qi4) T1
  1. 1to work hard for sth
  2. 2to resolve on improvement
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March 24, 2026

争气(爭氣)zhēngqì(zheng1qi4)

争气 (zhēngqì) refers to the determination to work hard and improve oneself, often in the face of challenges. It is commonly used in contexts where individuals strive to achieve their goals or prove themselves, reflecting a strong sense of personal resolve and ambition.

Strokes10Frequency#21881DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 争气 is tied to the value placed on hard work and perseverance, often seen in family dynamics where children are encouraged to excel and bring honor to their families.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person shouting '争气!' while pushing themselves to the limit in a race. The character 争 (zhēng) resembles a person reaching out, while 气 (qì) represents air or energy, symbolizing the drive and effort one puts in to succeed.

Meanings of 争气

zhēngqì(zheng1qi4)
1to work hard for sth
2to resolve on improvement
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About 争气

争气Simplified
爭氣Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#21881Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 争气

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Podcast: 争气

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AI Study Notes for 争气

Quick Contrast

奋斗 (fèndòu) - use 争气 when emphasizing personal determination and resilience, while 奋斗 focuses more on the act of striving or fighting for a goal.

Usage Notes

Students often confuse 争气 with similar expressions that convey hard work but lack the same nuance of personal resolve. It is generally used in informal contexts among friends or family. Common collocations include '争气的孩子' (a hardworking child) or '为了争气' (in order to prove oneself).

HSK Study Tips

As a level 6 word, 争气 connects with other concepts of effort and achievement in HSK 6 vocabulary. Students should focus on using it in sentences that reflect personal goals and aspirations, linking it with verbs like '努力' (to strive) or '奋斗' (to fight for).

Common Mistakes

Learners often misplace the tone, saying 'zheng1 qi3' instead of 'zhēng qì'. Additionally, some may use it incorrectly in contexts that do not relate to personal effort, such as '争气' referring to teamwork, which can lead to confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 争气

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Component Characters

争zhēngto strive for
HSK 56 strokes亅
View full entry
气qìgas
HSK 44 strokes气
View full entry

How to say to work hard for sth in Chinese

“to work hard for sth” in Chinese is争气zhēngqì

争气 (zhēngqì) refers to the determination to work hard and improve oneself, often in the face of challenges. It is commonly used in contexts where individuals strive to achieve their goals or prove themselves, reflecting a strong sense of personal resolve and ambition.

When to use 争气

Students often confuse 争气 with similar expressions that convey hard work but lack the same nuance of personal resolve. It is generally used in informal contexts among friends or family. Common collocations include '争气的孩子' (a hardworking child) or '为了争气' (in order to prove oneself).

争气 or something close to it

奋斗 (fèndòu) - use 争气 when emphasizing personal determination and resilience, while 奋斗 focuses more on the act of striving or fighting for a goal.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misplace the tone, saying 'zheng1 qi3' instead of 'zhēng qì'. Additionally, some may use it incorrectly in contexts that do not relate to personal effort, such as '争气' referring to teamwork, which can lead to confusion.

Write 争气

争
气

Practice writing 争气 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 争气

While it is primarily informal, it can be used in motivational speeches or contexts discussing personal improvement.

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