Definition
争锋 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to contend for supremacy' or 'to strive for mastery', often used in competitive or conflict contexts. You can insert a measure phrase or object between the two characters — for example 争一次锋 ('have a showdown once'). It also appears in the fixed expression 争锋相对 (diamond-cut-diamond; head-to-head confrontation). As a v.o., the object of the competition is usually introduced with 与 or 跟 before the verb.
v.o.
to contend for supremacyto strive for mastery
Examples
- 争锋。Liǎng jiā gōngsī wèile shìchǎng fèn'é zhēng fēng jīliè.The two companies fiercely contend for market share.
- ，。Tāmen zhè cì yào zhēng yí gè gāoxià zhī fēng, shuí yě bú ràng shuí.This time they want to have a real showdown, neither willing to yield.
- 争锋，。Shuāngfāng zhēng fēng xiāngduì, qìfēn shífēn jǐnzhāng.The two sides were locked in a head-to-head confrontation, and the atmosphere was very tense.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.