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争气

爭氣
zhēngqì
verb HSK 7-9 #21,881

Meanings

  1. 1 to try to make a good showing; to live up to expectations
  2. 2 to bring credit to oneself

Characters

争
zhēng
to compete; to fight for
气
qì
spirit; morale; breath
Literally 'to fight for one's spirit/dignity.' The idea is to prove yourself through effort and make people proud.

Examples

HSK 1
这孩子真不争气。
Zhè háizi zhēn bù zhēngqì.
This kid is such a disappointment.
HSK 4
你要争气，别让爸妈失望。
Nǐ yào zhēngqì, bié ràng bàmā shīwàng.
You need to make us proud, don't disappoint your parents.
HSK 4
他很争气，考上了名牌大学。
Tā hěn zhēngqì, kǎoshàng le míngpái dàxué.
He lived up to expectations and got into a prestigious university.

Tips

culture
争气 is deeply tied to Chinese family values. Parents saying 你要争气 isn't just about personal success - it's about bringing honor to the family. The opposite, 不争气, is one of the most stinging things a Chinese parent can say about their child.

Stroke Order

争 zhēng
气 qì