Japanese word

争う

Pronunciation

Romajiarasou

Meaning

  • verbcompete

Example

二つのチームが優勝を争います。futa tsu no chī mu ga yū shō o araso i ma su

The two teams compete for the championship.

Illustration for 争う (compete)

More examples

二人の選手は最後の一席を争いました。futa ri no sen shu wa sai go no is seki o araso i ma shi ta

The two athletes competed for the last spot.

Core concept

It presents people or groups as pressing against one another over a prize, position, right, or claim.

Common phrases

  • 優勝を争うyū shō o araso u

    compete for the championship

  • 賞金を争うshō kin o araso u

    compete for the prize money

  • 互いに争うtaga i ni araso u

    compete with each other

Similar words

競うkisou: To try to achieve a better result than another person or group.
張り合うhariau: To compete by trying to match or surpass another person or group.
競り合うseriau: To compete closely with another person or group, with neither side gaining a clear lead.

Definition in Japanese

人や集団が、勝敗や優劣、権利などをめぐって互いに張り合うこと。hito ya shū dan ga shō hai ya yū retsu ken ri na do o me gu tte taga i ni ha ri a u ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 争う (arasō, "to compete or dispute") is the modern form of あらそふ (arasofu), recorded in older Japanese; its deeper origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • The verb 争う (arasō) can describe teams competing for a title as well as people disputing a right, so the surrounding topic shows which sense is intended.

Other meanings

  • fightverb
  • disputeverb

Opposites

  • 協力するkyōryokusurucooperateverb

Related words

Word lists with this word