The Meaning of arasou [争う] In Japanese

争う
あらそう
Romaji: arasou N4

What does 争う mean?

Translation and Meaning

to dispute, to contend, to compete, to fight, to vie

Definition

What does 争う mean? It means to dispute or contend with others, often in arguments, competitions, or conflicts; the verb is used for verbal disputes, rivalries, and competitive struggles, and can take a direct object such as a prize, an opinion, or a rival.

Type

verb (godan, transitive) (五段動詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to dispute or argue against someone in a debate or disagreement
  • to compete for a prize, title, or opportunity
  • to fight or oppose someone in a physical or confrontational sense
  • to oppose or resist a policy, idea, or action in a figurative sense

Composition

  • 争 = dispute, contest, fight
  • う = verb-ending that marks the dictionary form for godan verbs
  • combined, they form a verb meaning to dispute, contend, or fight

Usage

Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe disputing, contending, or competing; grammar commonly uses を with a direct object for what is being contested or fought for, and と to indicate the party one contends with; phrases include 争う with a prize, 争って意見を戦う, and sports or legal contexts often feature 争い as a noun form.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine two rivals tugging for a prize while shouting araso-u; the image links contest and dispute with the verb’s sound, helping recall its core meaning.

Variations

  • 競う (きそう, kisou) to compete
  • 戦う (たたかう, tatakau) to fight
  • 抗う (あらがう, aragau) to resist

Example Phrases

  • 子どもたちは優劣を争う大会に参加した。
    Kodomotachi wa yūretsu o arasou taikai ni sanka shita.
    The children participated in a tournament to vie for superiority.
    Lista:
    • 子どもたちは (kodomo-tachi wa) – the children
    • 優劣を (yūretsu o) – superiority
    • 争う (arasou) – to vie
    • 大会に (taikai ni) – to the tournament
    • 参加した (sanka shita) – participated
    Here, 「争う」 is used transitively with the object 「優劣」, as in 優劣を争う.
争う