争
zhēng
to strive for; to vie for; to argue or debate; deficient or lacking (dialect)
All meanings
- to strive for
- to vie for
- to argue or debate
- deficient or lacking (dialect)
- how or what (literary)
In context
Example sentences
孩子们在争着回答问题。
Háizimen zài zhēng zhe huídá wèntí.
The children are competing to answer questions.
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Related words
Words with 争
Appears in these articles
HSK levels
争: New to the HSK lists at HSK 5. See where your old level lands
New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting of the new exam is announced for 13 December 2026, for HSK 1 to 6. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.
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Frequently Asked Questions
争 (zhēng) means "to strive for; to vie for; to argue or debate; deficient or lacking (dialect); how or what (literary)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.
争 is pronounced "zhēng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.
争 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus.
Common words with 争 include 不争 (widely known), 分争 (to dispute), 不争气 (to be disappointing), 丁卯战争 (first Manchu invasion of Korea (1627)), 世袭之争 (succession struggle).
You can practice writing 争 using our stroke order tool.
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.