争う

What it means

What does 争う mean? It means to dispute or contend with others, often in arguments, competitions, or conflicts; the verb is used for verbal disputes, rivalries, and competitive struggles, and can take a direct object such as a prize, an opinion, or a rival.

Main meanings

• to dispute or argue against someone in a debate or disagreement
• to compete for a prize, title, or opportunity
• to fight or oppose someone in a physical or confrontational sense
• to oppose or resist a policy, idea, or action in a figurative sense

How to use it

Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe disputing, contending, or competing; grammar commonly uses を with a direct object for what is being contested or fought for, and と to indicate the party one contends with; phrases include 争う with a prize, 争って意見を戦う, and sports or legal contexts often feature 争い as a noun form.