竞

競

jìng

兄 + 立

Definitions

jìng (verb) to compete; to contend

Etymology

Simplified form of 競. Pictograph of two people side-by-side competing with each other.

About

The character 竞 is a simplified form of 競, which originated as a pictograph of two people side-by-side competing with each other. In the traditional character 競, this was rendered with two 言 (speech) radicals above two 儿 (human legs) radicals, vividly suggesting a verbal contest or race. The simplified version condenses this double structure into 立 (stand) above 兄 (elder brother), yet the core meaning of contending, vying, or striving for superiority remains unchanged.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢参加竞赛。

Wǒ xǐhuān cānjiā jìngsài.

I like to participate in contests.

他们竞争得很激烈。

Tāmen jìngzhēng de hěn jīliè.

They compete very fiercely.

竞走是一项奥运项目。

Jìngzǒu shì yī xiàng àoyùn xiàngmù.

Race walking is an Olympic event.

公司之间的竞争促进了创新。

Gōngsī zhī jiān de jìngzhēng cùjìnle chuàngxīn.

Competition between companies promotes innovation.

在激烈的市场竞争中，企业必须不断改进。

Zài jīliè de shìchǎng jìngzhēng zhōng, qǐyè bìxū bùduàn gǎijìn.

In the fierce market competition, enterprises must continuously improve.

竞标过程需要严格遵守规定。

Jìngbiāo guòchéng xūyào yángé zūnshǒu guīdìng.

The bidding process requires strict adherence to regulations.

生物进化中的竞争是自然选择的核心。

Shēngwù jìnhuà zhōng de jìngzhēng shì zìrán xuǎnzé de héxīn.

Competition in biological evolution is the core of natural selection.

在全球经济竞合背景下，各国需加强合作。

Zài quánqiú jīngjì jìnghé bèijǐng xià, gè guó xū jiāqiáng hézuò.

Under the background of global economic competition and cooperation, countries need to strengthen cooperation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 兄

Component: 立

Example Words