Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
争执 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
争执zhēngzhíto disputeHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #5436, Very Hard
争执zhēngzhíto disagreeHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #5436, Very Hard
争执zhēngzhíto argue opinionatedlyHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #5436, Very Hard
争执zhēngzhíto wrangleHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #5436, Very Hard
zhēngzhí(zheng1zhi2)zheng zhi T1
  1. 1to dispute
  2. 2to disagree
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

争执(爭執)zhēngzhí(zheng1zhi2)

争执 refers to a situation where individuals or groups strongly disagree, often leading to a heated discussion or argument. It is commonly used in contexts where opinions clash, and there is a struggle to assert one's viewpoint. The nuance implies a level of emotional intensity and persistence in the disagreement.

Strokes12Frequency#5436DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, open confrontation or heated arguments are often avoided in favor of harmony, making the use of 争执 significant in understanding interpersonal dynamics and conflict resolution approaches. This word reflects the tension that can arise when views clash in a society that values consensus.

Memory tip

Imagine two people, each holding a flag with their opinion on it, fiercely waving them at each other, representing the '争' (struggle) and '执' (holding on) in their debate. The action of '争执' (zheng1 zhi2) captures their stubbornness in standing firm on their beliefs.

Meanings of 争执

zhēngzhí(zheng1zhi2)
1to dispute
2to disagree
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 争执 means.

About 争执

争执Simplified
爭執Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 争执

JasonAmy

Podcast: 争执

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 争执

Quick Contrast

争论 (zhēnglùn) implies a debate or discussion that may not be as emotionally charged as 争执, which suggests a more intense and persistent disagreement.

Usage Notes

争执 is typically used in informal contexts, but it can also appear in more serious discussions. Common mistakes include using it to describe polite disagreements; instead, it suggests a more aggressive confrontation. Be mindful of the tone and context in which you use it to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As a word that may not appear in the early HSK levels, students should focus on recognizing it in dialogues that involve conflict or differing opinions. It connects well with other words related to disagreement, such as '意见' (opinion) and '讨论' (discussion), which are more common at HSK 3 and 4.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 争执 with '讨论' (discussion), which implies a more neutral exchange. For example, saying '我们在争执这个问题' (We are discussing this issue) is incorrect; it should be '我们在讨论这个问题' (We are discussing this issue) instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 争执

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 争执, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 争执 to you

Let me explain 争执 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 争执 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 争执?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 争执 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

争zhēngto strive for
HSK 56 strokes亅
View full entry
执zhíto execute (a plan)
6 strokes扌
View full entry

How to say to dispute in Chinese

“to dispute” in Chinese is争执zhēngzhí

争执 refers to a situation where individuals or groups strongly disagree, often leading to a heated discussion or argument. It is commonly used in contexts where opinions clash, and there is a struggle to assert one's viewpoint. The nuance implies a level of emotional intensity and persistence in the disagreement.

When to use 争执

争执 is typically used in informal contexts, but it can also appear in more serious discussions. Common mistakes include using it to describe polite disagreements; instead, it suggests a more aggressive confrontation. Be mindful of the tone and context in which you use it to avoid misunderstandings.

争执 or something close to it

争论 (zhēnglùn) implies a debate or discussion that may not be as emotionally charged as 争执, which suggests a more intense and persistent disagreement.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 争执 with '讨论' (discussion), which implies a more neutral exchange. For example, saying '我们在争执这个问题' (We are discussing this issue) is incorrect; it should be '我们在讨论这个问题' (We are discussing this issue) instead.

Write 争执

争
执

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 争执?

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 争执

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, disputes may be seen as opportunities for debate and discussion, while in Chinese culture, they can be perceived as a loss of face and a disruption of social harmony.

Frequently asked questions about 争执

争执 is generally used in informal contexts, although it can surface in more serious discussions.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 争执?

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.

See the Learning Lab