Learn a Chinese Character - 竞

1. Character Basics

Radical: 立/lì (stand)

Stroke Count: 10

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jìng (fourth tone)

3. Meaning

compete, contend, strive

4. Common Words

• 竞争 (jìng zhēng) - competition
• 竞赛 (jìng sài) - contest, competition
• 竞选 (jìng xuǎn) - run for office, election
• 竞相 (jìng xiāng) - compete to do something
• 竞走 (jìng zǒu) - race walking
• 竞价 (jìng jià) - bidding, competitive pricing

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Mainly used as a verb or noun

Usage Patterns:

• 作为动词: 竞争 (compete); 竞赛 (contest)
• 与其他字组合: 竞选 (run for office); 竞相 (compete to do something)
• 成语用法: 竞争激烈 (jìng zhēng jī liè) - fierce competition

Note: "竞" is commonly used in contexts related to competition, contests, and striving for something.

6. Cultural Background

Philosophical Significance: In Chinese philosophy, the concept of "竞" (competition) is balanced with "和" (harmony), reflecting the traditional value of maintaining harmony while striving for excellence.

Modern Society: Competition is highly valued in modern Chinese society, particularly in education and business contexts.

Sports Culture: China has a strong competitive sports culture, with events like the Olympic Games and Asian Games being highly regarded.

Idioms and Proverbs: There are many Chinese idioms and proverbs related to competition, emphasizing fair play and the importance of effort.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Character Breakdown: The character "竞" consists of two "兄" (xiōng, elder brother) characters on top of each other, which can be thought of as two brothers competing with each other.

Mnemonic Device: Imagine two brothers (兄) competing or racing against each other.

Word Association: Connect "竞" with the common word "竞争" (jìng zhēng - competition) to help remember its meaning and pronunciation.

Sound-Alike Memory: The pronunciation "jìng" is similar to "镜" (jìng, mirror) and "静" (jìng, quiet), but the meanings are different, so be careful not to confuse them.