競
競·compete, vie, race
- On-yomi
- キョウケイ
- Kun-yomi
- きそ(う)せ(る)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 競争 | きょうそう | competition |
| 競馬 | けいば | horse racing |
| 競技 | きょうぎ | athletic event, contest |
| 競う | きそう | to compete, to vie |
Example sentences
この業界は競争がとてもはげしい。
このぎょうかいはきょうそうがとてもはげしい。
Competition in this industry is very fierce.
二人は最後まで一位を競った。
ふたりはさいごまでいちいをきそった。
The two of them competed for first place until the very end.
父は日曜日によく競馬を見に行く。
ちちはにちようびによくけいばをみにいく。
My father often goes to watch the horse races on Sundays.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 競竟競 is simply 竟 written twice side by side — two figures facing off.
Common mistakes
- Reading 競馬 as *きょうば — the ケイ reading gives けいば, as in 競輪 (けいりん)
- Confusing 競技 (a sporting event) with 技術 (technique, technology)
Memory aid
Picture it
Two identical figures standing shoulder to shoulder, each straining to get ahead of the other.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 競 mean?