争 dispute

Also: compete

On'yomi
ソウ
Kun'yomi
あらそ-う
Strokes
6
JLPT
N4
Taught in
Primary school, year 4

In the kun'yomi, the kana after a dash are written after the kanji (okurigana): あらそ-う.

Stroke order

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
争 is written in 6 strokes. Each panel adds the next one; the dot marks where the brush starts.

Remember it

A hand reaches down from above (𠂊), another hand (⺕) grabs from below, and both are hooked (亅) on the same thing — nobody lets go, so they dispute it.

A common word

  • 戦争 せんそう war

Example sentences

  • こどもたちがおもちゃをあらそっている。

    The kids are fighting over a toy.

  • せんそうのないせかいになってほしい。

    I want the world to be free of war.

Kanji that share a part

丿 is its radical. 62 kanji share it in all.

⺕ is a component. 18 kanji share it in all.