较劲 jiàojìn to match one's strength with
to match one's strength with; to compete; more competitive; to set oneself against somebody; disobliging; to make a special effort
How to remember 较劲: 较 to compare + 劲 strong = to match one's strength with.
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How it is used
- To compete stubbornly / lock horns - a contest of wills or strength - 两个人一直在较劲 (liǎng ge rén yìzhí zài jiàojìn) the two of them keep trying to one-up each other.
- Colloquial; can mean pitting yourself against a rival, or being deliberately difficult/uncooperative (跟自己较劲 push oneself hard; 别跟他较劲 don't butt heads with him).
- Note 劲 (jìn). More informal and personal/emotional than 竞争 (jìngzhēng, formal competition).