Meaning
冲突 refers to a clash, disagreement, or confrontation between people, groups, ideas, or interests. It can describe physical conflicts, verbal arguments, scheduling conflicts, or incompatible viewpoints. The word literally combines the idea of 'rushing' with '突' (突然 sudden, to突出 stand out), conveying the sense of two forces colliding.
Usage
冲突 is used in both formal and informal contexts. It commonly appears in news reports about international disputes, workplace disagreements, or personal relationship tensions. Can function as a noun (e.g., 发生冲突 'a conflict occurred') or as a verb (e.g., 两者冲突 'the two conflict with each other'). Often paired with verbs like 发生, 引起, 解决, or 避免.
Examples
- 01双方因为利益问题发生了冲突。.The two sides had a conflict due to issues of interest.
- 02我的工作时间和孩子的放学时间冲突了。.My work hours conflict with my child's school dismissal time.
Characters
Measure words
- 次一次冲突
- 场一场冲突
Common collocations
- 发生冲突a conflict occurs
- 引起冲突to cause/provoke conflict
- 解决冲突to resolve conflict
- 武装冲突armed conflict
Antonyms
Origin
The combination suggests two forces 'rushing' and 'breaking through' toward each other, creating a collision or clash. This metaphorical meaning emerged from the literal sense of physical impact.