争取

§ What does 争取 mean and when do people use it?

Let's get straight to it. The Chinese word 争取 (zhēngqǔ) is a verb that means 'to strive for' or 'to fight for'. It's all about making an effort, working hard, or even contending for something you want or believe in. Think of it as actively pursuing a goal or a right.

DEFINITION

To strive for; to fight for; to vie for; to contend for.

You'll hear and see 争取 used in many situations. It's not just for big, dramatic battles. It applies to everyday efforts too. For example, you might 争取 a chance to study abroad, 争取 a promotion at work, or even 争取 some extra time to finish a project.

The key idea is that there's an effort involved. It's not something that just happens. You have to actively work towards it. It implies a sense of determination and sometimes, a bit of struggle or competition.

§ Common Scenarios for 争取

Here are some common ways 争取 is used:

• 争取机会 (zhēngqǔ jīhuì) - to strive for an opportunity: This is very common. Whether it's a job interview, a scholarship, or a chance to learn something new, you actively work to get that opportunity.
• 争取时间 (zhēngqǔ shíjiān) - to gain/buy time: When you need more time for something, you're 争取时间. Maybe you're trying to meet a deadline or delay a decision.
• 争取权利 (zhēngqǔ quánlì) - to fight for rights: This is used in more serious contexts, like advocating for human rights, workers' rights, or any other fundamental rights.
• 争取支持 (zhēngqǔ zhīchí) - to seek/win support: If you're trying to get people on your side, whether for an idea, a project, or a political campaign, you're 争取支持.
• 争取进步 (zhēngqǔ jìnbù) - to strive for progress/improvement: This can be personal, like striving to improve your Chinese, or collective, like a team striving for better performance.

Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:

Translation Hint

We should strive to complete the task as soon as possible.

Here, 'strive to' fits perfectly. It's about making an effort to finish something quickly.

Translation Hint

He is striving for better job opportunities for himself.

This sentence shows someone actively working to get a better job. It's an ongoing effort.

Think about the nuance. If you just 'try' to do something, you might give up easily. But if you 争取 it, you're committed to making it happen. You're putting in the work and possibly overcoming obstacles.

§ 争取 in Action: Real-World Usage

You'll find 争取 in news headlines, formal speeches, and everyday conversations. It's a versatile word that conveys effort and determination.

Translation Hint

The students are fighting for more extracurricular activities.

Here, 'fighting for' implies advocacy or making demands for something they believe they deserve. It's a stronger sense of 'strive'.

Translation Hint

We must strive to complete the report before the deadline.

Again, the emphasis is on the effort and determination required to meet a target. It's not just a hope; it's an active pursuit.

So, next time you hear or read 争取, remember it's about active effort, determination, and sometimes, a bit of a push to get what's desired. It's a powerful verb that implies a proactive approach to achieving goals or defending positions.

Learning to use 争取 (zhēngqǔ) correctly can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, you're not alone. Many English speakers make similar mistakes because the concept of 'striving for' or 'fighting for' can be expressed in different ways in English. Let's look at some common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them.

§ Mistake 1: Confusing 争取 with 努力 (nǔlì)

Both 争取 and 努力 involve effort, but they're not interchangeable. 努力 simply means 'to make an effort' or 'to work hard.' It focuses on the act of putting in effort. 争取, on the other hand, implies striving for a specific outcome or object, often against some resistance or competition. It's about actively pursuing something you want or need.

This means 'I study Chinese hard' or 'I make an effort to study Chinese.' There's no specific goal implied beyond the act of studying hard.

This means 'I strive for a good grade' or 'I try to get a good grade.' Here, there's a clear objective: a good grade.

§ Mistake 2: Using 争取 for abstract desires without action

争取 implies action and effort towards a goal. You wouldn't use it to simply express a wish or a passive desire. If you just 'hope' for something without actively working towards it, 争取 isn't the right word.

This is grammatically awkward. While you might 'strive for happiness,' in Chinese, 争取 usually refers to something more concrete that you can actively work to obtain or achieve. For happiness, you'd probably say something like 追求幸福 (zhuīqiú xìngfú), 'pursue happiness.'

This is correct. You can actively strive to get a job.

§ Mistake 3: Overlooking the 'struggle' or 'competition' nuance

争取 often carries a nuance of overcoming difficulties, competing with others, or pushing for something that isn't easily given. If what you're doing doesn't involve some form of 'struggle' or 'effort against something,' then 争取 might be too strong a word.

• When you're fighting for your rights, you use 争取.
• When you're trying to get a limited resource, you use 争取.
• When you're competing for a position, you use 争取.

Correct usage examples:

• 我们要争取时间完成任务。

  (We need to race against time/strive to save time to complete the task.)

• 他们正在争取更多的福利。

  (They are fighting for more benefits.)

• 她争取到了去北京学习的机会。

  (She strived for and got the opportunity to study in Beijing.)

Notice in all these examples, there's an element of active pursuit, overcoming obstacles, or competing for something valuable. Keep these points in mind, and you'll be using 争取 like a pro in no time!