夺魁

奪魁

duókuí

verb HSK 7 #38,871

Meanings

1 to win first place
2 to come out on top

Characters

to seize; to win

chief; first; champion

Literally 'seize the top position' — 魁 originally referred to the brightest star in the Big Dipper, symbolizing first place.

Examples

她在书法比赛中夺魁。

Tā zài shūfǎ bǐsài zhōng duókuí.

She won first place in the calligraphy competition.

这道菜在厨艺大赛中夺魁。

Zhè dào cài zài chúyì dàsài zhōng duókuí.

This dish took first place in the cooking competition.

Tips

register

夺魁 is more literary and elegant than 夺冠. While 夺冠 is the standard term for sports championships, 夺魁 is often used in cultural, academic, or artistic competitions, and has a more classical flavor.

Stroke Order

夺 duó

魁 kuí