Meaning:

compete；contest；

Origin:

甲骨文“竞”字像两个头上带有刀的标志的奴隶在搏斗的情景，古代贵族经常强迫奴隶们角斗，以此取乐。“竞”的本义是“争逐”，现在常用来表示“比赛”、“竞争”。

On oracle bone inscriptions, “竞” resembles two slaves wrestling with knives attached to their heads. In ancient times, nobles often forced slaves to wrestle for fun. The character’s original meaning is to scramble; now, it is more often used to represent a match or competition.

Words:

   竞技 (jìngjì): athletics

   竞选 (jìngxuǎn): to run for (election)

   竞争 (jìngzhēng): to compete

   竞赛 (jìngsài): competition

Examples:

1. 这次总统竞选很激烈，因为候选人实力相当。

    Zhè cì zǒngtǒng jìngxuǎn hěn jīliè ，yīnwèi hòuxuǎnrén shílì xiāngdāng

    This presidential campaign is very intense, as the candidates have considerable strength.

2. 公司里很多人都在竞争总经理的职位。

    Gōngsī lǐ hěn duō rén dōu zài jìngzhēng zǒngjīnglǐ de zhíwèi

    Many people in the company are competing for the manager’s post.