The Chinese word 竞赛 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a similar core meaning to create a stronger, unified concept. The first character, 竞 (jìng), carries the idea of contending, vying, or engaging in a contest. The second character, 赛 (sài), independently means to match, compete, or have a race. When placed together, they form a compound where both elements reinforce and specify each other, resulting in a word that explicitly denotes a formal competition, match, or tournament, emphasizing the active, contested nature of the event.