争
Mnemonic
A hook snags one end of a brush, while a fish hook clamps the other end — two rival fishermen contend over the same brush, yanking it back and forth in a furious tug-of-war across the riverbank, neither willing to let go.
Additional thoughts
Visualize the brush suspended midair between two hooks pulling from opposite sides. The tension captures the struggle of contending forces perfectly. Hook on top, brush as the body, fish hook at the bottom — just like the kanji's structure.Quick recall
A hook and a fish hook yank a brush back and forth as rivals contend.Details
The keyword for 争 is contend. This kanji conveys the idea of competing, fighting, or struggling against others over something. It encompasses various forms of conflict, from physical disputes to verbal arguments to rivalries where two or more parties vie for superiority or possession. The sense is one of active opposition, where individuals or groups clash in pursuit of their goals.
- On'yomi
- そう
- Kun'yomi
- あらそ.う、いか.でか