Translation and Meaning of: 争い - arasoi

If you've ever found yourself trying to understand the meaning of 争い [あらそい] in Japanese, know that this word goes far beyond a simple translation like "dispute" or "conflict." In the largest Japanese dictionary of Suki Nihongo, you can find not only the etymology and usage of this expression but also memorization tips and practical examples to include in your Anki. In this article, we will explore everything from its pictogram to how it appears in everyday Japanese, including interesting facts that you will hardly find elsewhere.

Want to find out why this kanji relates to "hands pulling something" or how it appears in popular expressions? Here, you will learn all of this straightforwardly, without any fluff. And if you have ever wondered if there is a pun or wordplay involving 争い, the answer is yes — and we will tell you!

Origin and etymology of 争い

The kanji 争 is composed of two interesting radicals: 亅 (a hook) and 扌 (a variation of 手, hand). Together, they suggest the image of hands pulling something in opposite directions — a perfect visual representation for "dispute" or "conflict." It's no wonder that this character appears in words like 戦争 [せんそう] (war) or 競争 [きょうそう] (competition).

In the ancient language, the verb 争う [あらそう] already carried the idea of "competing" or "fighting," but with one detail: it was often used in contexts where two parties wanted the same thing and were unwilling to yield. This nuance persists to this day, especially in heated discussions or historical rivalries. You may have heard of 派閥争い [はばつあらそい], those internal disputes in companies or political groups that even became the theme of a dorama.

Lies in Japanese everyday life

Unlike Portuguese, where "briga" can range from a traffic argument to a war, the Japanese use 争い with a bit more weight. It frequently appears in news about labor conflicts or legal disputes, but also in everyday situations, such as 遺産争い [いさんあらそい] (inheritance disputes). Once, a friend from Tokyo told me that even the fight for the last piece of takoyaki on the table can become a joke with this word.

Another interesting point is that, although 喧嘩 [けんか] is more common for physical fights or casual arguments, 争い carries a more "structured" air — almost as if there are unwritten rules in the conflict. Have you noticed how in sports anime they say ライバルとの争い (rivalry with a rival) instead of using more generic terms? Well, even in competitions, there is a certain formality.

How to memorize and trivia

One of the most effective ways to fix 争い is to associate the kanji with that classic movie scene where two characters pull an object from opposite sides. If you like flashcards, include an image like that in your deck — trust me, it works. Another tip is to remember that the reading あらそい has a rhythm almost like a "back and forth," perfect for the meaning.

Now a cultural gem: in Osaka, there is a pun known between 争い and あら、そうい ("oh, really?"), used to ease tensions in discussions. And if you're a fan of games, notice how FromSoftware loves this term in Dark Souls to describe conflicts between factions. Isn't that amazing?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 闘い (tatakai) - fight, combat
• 紛争 (funsō) - Conflict, dispute
• 対立 (tairitsu) - Conflict, opposition (clashing in opposite ways)
• 競争 (kyōsō) - Competition, rivalry (usually in contexts of healthy competition)
• 争闘 (sōtō) - Intense fight, direct combat
• 争奪 (sōdatsu) - Conflict over possession, dispute over something
• 争点 (sōten) - Point at issue, debated question
• 争議 (sōgi) - Dispute, debate, especially in the legal context
• 争乱 (sōran) - Disorder, turmoil (in contexts of social conflict)
• 争戦 (sōsen) - Combat conflict, usually in a military context

争い

Romaji: arasoi
Kana: あらそい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: dispute; conflict; rivalry; strife; dissension; argument; competition

Meaning in English: dispute;strife;quarrel;dissension;conflict;rivalry;contest

Definition: Disagreement between different opinions and interests among individuals and groups, resulting in conflicts and clashes.

Example Sentences - (争い) arasoi

See below some example sentences:

争いは平和を生み出さない。

Arasoi wa heiwa o umidasanai

The struggle does not produce peace.

The struggle does not produce peace.

• 争い (arasoi) - dispute, conflict
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 平和 (heiwa) - peace
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 生み出さない (umidasanai) - does not produce, does not generate

争いは平和を生むことはない。

Arasoi wa heiwa o umu koto wa nai

The dispute does not bring peace.

Struggle does not create peace.

• 争い - means "conflict" or "dispute".
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 平和 - means "peace".
• を - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 生む - means "to generate" or "to produce".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• ない - negation in Japanese, which means "does not exist" or "is not possible".