争(あらそ)う

あらそう
verb (godan)
to compete, to argue
1. to compete, to contend
To struggle against others for something.
一位(いちい)を争(あらそ)っている。
They are competing for first place.
選手(せんしゅ)たちが優勝(ゆうしょう)を争(あらそ)っている。
The athletes are competing for the championship.
二(ふた)つの会社(かいしゃ)が市場(しじょう)で激(はげ)しく争(あらそ)っている。
Two companies are fiercely competing in the market.
2. to argue, to dispute
To disagree or quarrel with someone.
意見(いけん)を争(あらそ)う。
To dispute opinions.
争(あらそ)えない事実(じじつ)。
An undeniable fact.
兄弟(きょうだい)が遺産(いさん)をめぐって争(あらそ)っている。
The siblings are disputing over the inheritance.

争(あらそ)う is a godan verb meaning to compete, contend, or argue.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive)
  • Takes を particle: Xを争(あらそ)う (to compete for X)

PARTICLE PATTERNS:

  • Xを争(あらそ)う: to compete for X, to contend for X
  • Xと争(あらそ)う: to argue with X, to dispute with X
  • 一位(いちい)を争(あらそ)う: to compete for first place

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 争(あらそ)えない事実(じじつ): undeniable fact
  • 時(とき)を争(あらそ)う: to race against time (urgent matter)
  • 美(うつく)しさを争(あらそ)う: to vie for beauty
  • 覇権(はけん)を争(あらそ)う: to contend for supremacy

RELATED VOCABULARY:

  • 争(あらそ)い: dispute, conflict, strife (noun form)
  • 競争(きょうそう): competition (more neutral, often in sports/business)
  • 戦(たたか)う: to fight, to battle (more physical)
  • 競(きそ)う: to compete, to vie
  • 論争(ろんそう): controversy, debate
  • 紛争(ふんそう): dispute, conflict (often international)

NUANCE:
争(あらそ)う often implies conflict or contention, while 競争(きょうそう) is more neutral and commonly used for fair competition. 争(あらそ)えない (cannot dispute) is a set expression meaning 'undeniable' or 'indisputable.'

general
Added 2026.1.9 21:22 · Revised 2026.2.20 10:50
01500/01866_arasou