夺魁 duókuí to seize
to seize; to win
How to remember 夺魁: 夺 to rob + 魁 chief = to seize.
Characters
How it is used
- To take first place / win the top spot - 一举夺魁 (yìjǔ duókuí) win the top prize in one go.
- 魁 (kuí) = the chief/first; near 夺冠 but slightly more literary and broader (any top ranking, not only sports). Written.