to struggle, to fight, to contend

JLPT N5 4 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character (dòu) primarily means 'to fight,' 'to struggle,' or 'to contend.' It is often used to describe physical or metaphorical battles, competitions, or disputes.

Common Contexts

is frequently seen in contexts involving competition, conflict, or rivalry, such as sports, debates, or personal disagreements. It can describe serious struggles (斗争) or lighter, playful arguments ().

Collocations and Patterns

  • 斗争 (dòuzhēng): to struggle or fight, often used in political or social contexts.
  • (dòuzuǐ): to argue or tease playfully, common in casual conversation.
  • : to fight fiercely and be evenly matched.

Usage Notes

is a versatile verb that can express both serious and lighthearted conflicts. When used in playful contexts like , it implies friendly teasing rather than real hostility. Avoid confusing with similar verbs like (dǎ), which more specifically means 'to hit' or 'to strike.'

Example Sentences

They fought fiercely for the championship.

The two teams fought fiercely and were evenly matched in the game.

He likes to tease and argue playfully with friends to strengthen their