Word
争う
Meaning in Englishdispute, argue, fight, compete
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
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.
Variants and close terms
- 競う (きそう, kisou) to compete
- 戦う (たたかう, tatakau) to fight
- 抗う (あらがう, aragau) to resist
Composition
- 争 = dispute, contest, fight
- う = verb-ending that marks the dictionary form for godan verbs
- combined, they form a verb meaning to dispute, contend, or fight
Word class
verb (godan, transitive) (五段動詞)