Chinese Word
Archive
← Today's word Archive
noun HSK 4
Traditional 戰爭
zhàn zhēng
war · warfare · conflict

Meaning

战争 refers to armed conflict between nations, states, or groups. It encompasses everything from ancient battles to modern warfare, including both the physical fighting and the broader state of hostility between opposing forces.

Usage

This is a formal, serious term used in news, history, politics, and academic contexts. It typically refers to large-scale organized conflicts rather than small skirmishes. Commonly appears in phrases about starting, ending, or preventing war, and in discussions of war's impact on society.

Examples

  1. 01
    第二次世界大战给人类带来了巨大的灾难。
    Dì èr cì shì jiè dà zhàn gěi rén lèi dài lái le jù dà de zāi nàn.
    World War II brought enormous catastrophe to humanity.
  2. 02
    我们应该用和平的方式解决争端，而不是用战争。
    Wǒ men yīng gāi yòng hé píng de fāng shì jiě jué zhēng duān, ér bù shì yòng zhàn zhēng.
    We should resolve disputes through peaceful means, not through war.

Characters

Measure words

  • 场chǎng一场战争
  • 次cì两次世界大战

Common collocations

  • 世界大战
    shì jiè dà zhàn
    world war
  • 发动战争
    fā dòng zhàn zhēng
    to launch a war
  • 战争爆发
    zhàn zhēng bào fā
    war breaks out
  • 反对战争
    fǎn duì zhàn zhēng
    to oppose war

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to conflict: 战 originally depicted weapons and fighting, while 争 shows two hands pulling in opposite directions, symbolizing争 struggle or contention. Together they form the compound meaning 'armed struggle' or war.

Related