The word 争取 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core action to create a unified concept. The first character, 争, originally depicted two hands struggling over an object, conveying contention, debate, or striving. The second, 取, pictographically shows a hand taking an ear (from ancient trophy-taking), representing the act of seizing or obtaining. When placed together, they sequentially and logically portray the process of first exerting effort or striving (争) in order to then successfully acquire or achieve (取) a desired outcome, forming the meaning "to strive for" or "to fight to obtain".