In 15 Seconds
- To succeed and make your loved ones feel proud.
- Proving your worth after others doubted you.
- Commonly used to praise children or hard-working students.
Meaning
It means to work hard and succeed so you can make those who care about you feel proud and vindicated. It’s about 'winning' for the sake of your family or yourself.
Key Examples
3 of 6A mother talking about her son's graduation
我儿子考上了名牌大学，真给我争气！
My son got into a famous university; he really made me proud!
Encouraging a friend before a job interview
好好面试，给你爸妈争点气。
Do well in the interview and make your parents proud.
Frustrated with a slow computer
这电脑太不争气了，关键时刻死机。
This computer is so disappointing; it crashed at the critical moment.
Cultural Background
The phrase stems from the traditional Chinese concept of 'Qi' (vital energy). To 'fight for Qi' means to maintain one's dignity and spirit in the face of hardship. It is a cornerstone of the 'immigrant work ethic' often associated with Chinese families worldwide.
The Object Trick
You can use `争气` for inanimate objects like cars or computers when they let you down. It adds a touch of personality to your frustration!
Face Culture
Remember that `争气` is often about 'giving face' to your parents. In China, your success is a shared family victory.
In 15 Seconds
- To succeed and make your loved ones feel proud.
- Proving your worth after others doubted you.
- Commonly used to praise children or hard-working students.
What It Means
争气 (zhēngqì) is a powerful emotional verb. It literally means 'fighting for breath.' Think of it as proving your worth. You use it when you want to show the world you aren't a failure. It’s about bringing honor to your parents or yourself. It is deeply tied to the idea of 'face.' If you succeed, you give your supporters 'face.'
How To Use It
You usually use it to describe a person’s behavior. You can say someone is very 争气. You can also tell someone to 争气 before a big event. It often follows verbs like 'want to' (要) or 'must' (得). It’s common to see it in the negative too. If someone lets you down, they are 不争气. It’s like saying they lack the spirit to succeed.
When To Use It
Use it when a student gets into a top university. Use it when an athlete wins a difficult race. It’s perfect for family dinners when celebrating a promotion. If your old car finally starts on a cold morning, you can even jokingly thank it for being 争气. It’s about meeting or exceeding expectations when it matters most.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small, effortless tasks. Getting a glass of water isn't 争气. Avoid using it in strictly cold, corporate legal documents. It is too emotional for that. Don't use it to describe someone who is being arrogant. It’s about the effort and the result, not the ego. It’s also not for relaxation or 'chilling out.'
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, your success is rarely just yours. It belongs to your ancestors and your parents. 争气 reflects the pressure and motivation of filial piety. It’s the 'underdog' spirit. It implies that someone might have doubted you before. By being 争气, you prove the doubters wrong. It’s a very positive, high-energy trait in society.
Common Variations
真争气 (zhēn zhēngqì) means 'really making us proud.' 不争气 (bù zhēngqì) is the most common variation. It’s used for people, but also for objects. If your phone battery dies at 1%, you can sigh and call it 不争气. You might also hear 为校争气 (make the school proud). It’s all about who you are representing.
Usage Notes
The phrase is most commonly used with the preposition `给` (gěi) to indicate who you are making proud, as in `给...争气`. It can also stand alone as an adjective to describe someone's character.
The Object Trick
You can use `争气` for inanimate objects like cars or computers when they let you down. It adds a touch of personality to your frustration!
Face Culture
Remember that `争气` is often about 'giving face' to your parents. In China, your success is a shared family victory.
Don't confuse with 生气
One letter changes everything! `生气` (shēngqì) means to get angry, while `争气` (zhēngqì) means to make someone proud.
Examples
6我儿子考上了名牌大学，真给我争气！
My son got into a famous university; he really made me proud!
The mother feels her son's success reflects well on her.
好好面试，给你爸妈争点气。
Do well in the interview and make your parents proud.
Using 'parents' as a motivational anchor.
这电脑太不争气了，关键时刻死机。
This computer is so disappointing; it crashed at the critical moment.
Humorous personification of an object failing to perform.
大家要争气，赢下这场比赛！
Everyone needs to step up and win this game!
Used as a call to action for collective honor.
太争气了！我就知道你行。
So proud of you! I knew you could do it.
Short, punchy praise in a casual text.
我一定要努力，为自己争口气。
I must work hard to prove my own worth.
Using the phrase for self-motivation.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence of a father praising his daughter.
女儿，你这次拿了第一名，真给爸爸___。
`争气` is the correct term for making someone proud through success.
How do you complain about a phone that keeps turning off?
这手机真不___，刚充电就没电了。
`不争气` is used when something or someone fails to meet expectations.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 争气
Complaining about a broken gadget.
这破车真不争气！
Daily conversation with family.
你要给家里争气。
Public speeches or news reports.
运动员们为国争气。
When to use 争气
Academic Success
Getting an A+
Sports
Winning a trophy
Technology failure
Wifi cutting out
Career
Getting a promotion
Practice Bank
2 exercises女儿，你这次拿了第一名，真给爸爸___。
`争气` is the correct term for making someone proud through success.
这手机真不___，刚充电就没电了。
`不争气` is used when something or someone fails to meet expectations.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While parents often use it for children, friends can use it for each other, and you can even use it for yourself like 为自己争气.
Yes, it's great for team settings. A boss might say the team is 争气 after winning a big contract.
The direct opposite is 不争气 (bù zhēngqì), meaning to be disappointing or to fail to live up to potential.
It is neutral. You can use it in a casual text or a semi-formal speech at a wedding or graduation.
骄傲 is the feeling of pride, while 争气 is the action or result that causes that feeling.
Yes! If your dog finally learns a trick, you can say 真争气.
Usually, yes. It suggests that success was achieved through effort or against the odds.
Constantly. It's a staple in Chinese dramas, especially during scenes involving family expectations.
No, that's grammatically wrong. You should say 给你争气 (make you proud).
No, it is a standard idiom/collocation that has been used for a very long time.
Related Phrases
出息 (chūxi) - to have a bright future/prospects
长脸 (zhǎngliǎn) - to bring honor/make someone look good
给力 (gěilì) - awesome/helpful
光宗耀祖 (guāngzōng yàozǔ) - to bring honor to one's ancestors
丢脸 (diūliǎn) - to lose face/be embarrassed
