争执 zhēngzhí to dispute
to dispute; to disagree; to argue opinionatedly; to wrangle
How to remember 争执: 争 contend + 执 hold on to = to dispute.
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How it is used
- A heated dispute where each side stubbornly holds its ground - 双方争执不下 (shuāngfāng zhēngzhí búxià) neither side would back down.
- Both noun and verb: 发生争执 (fāshēng zhēngzhí) a dispute broke out. Stronger and more locked-in than 争论 (zhēnglùn, to debate), which can be reasoned discussion.
- Often over concrete interests or facts, with a note of obstinacy (执 = to cling).