ZiMaster Dictionary My decks

Word

争分夺秒 (zhēng fēn duó miǎo) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

争分夺秒 (zhēng fēn duó miǎo) is a Chinese word: race against time. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 争分夺秒

成语 chéng yǔ idiom

race against time

消防员争分夺秒地营救被困群众。

xiāo fáng yuán zhēng fēn duó miǎo de yíng jiù bèi kùn qún zhòng

Firefighters race against time to rescue trapped people.

Log in to add your own translations

Word breakdown

争 zhēng — fight for, strive for

Words with this character (17)
Show more (+12)

分 fēn — minute (time unit)

Words with this character (41)
Show more (+36)
  • 6 十分 shí fēn — very HSK 4
    • 十 ten (representing completeness, all ten parts)
    • 分 parts/divisions (units of measurement)
    Example

    这个问题十分重要。

    zhè ge wèn tí shí fēn zhòng yào

    This issue is very important.

  • 7 部分 bù fēn — part HSK 4
    • 部 section, division
    • 分 divide, portion
    Example

    我只完成了一小部分工作。

    wǒ zhǐ wán chéng le yì xiǎo bù fēn gōng zuò

    I only completed a small part of the work.

  • 8 分享 fēn xiǎng — to share HSK 5
    • 分 to divide, to distribute
    • 享 to enjoy, to receive
    Example

    我想和你分享这个好消息。

    wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ fēn xiǎng zhè ge hǎo xiāo xi

    I want to share this good news with you.

  • 9 分别 fēn bié — to part, to separate HSK 5
    • 分 to divide, to separate
    • 别 to part, to leave
    Example

    我们在机场分别了。

    wǒ men zài jī chǎng fēn bié le

    We parted at the airport.

  • 10 分布 fēn bù — to be distributed HSK 5
    • 分 to divide, to separate
    • 布 to spread, to arrange
    Example

    这种植物广泛分布在亚洲地区。

    zhè zhǒng zhí wù guǎng fàn fēn bù zài Yà zhōu dì qū

    This type of plant is widely distributed in Asian regions.

  • 11 分手 fēn shǒu — to break up HSK 5
    • 分 to separate, to divide
    • 手 hand (metaphorically letting go)
    Example

    他们去年分手了。

    tā men qù nián fēn shǒu le

    They broke up last year.

  • 12 分析 fēn xī — to analyze HSK 5
    • 分 to divide, to separate into parts
    • 析 to examine carefully, to dissect
    Example

    我们需要分析这个问题。

    wǒ men xū yào fēn xī zhè ge wèn tí

    We need to analyze this problem.

  • 13 分离 fēn lí — to separate HSK 5
    • 分 to divide, to split apart
    • 离 to leave, to be apart from
    Example

    孩子不愿意和妈妈分离。

    hái zi bù yuàn yì hé mā ma fēn lí

    The child doesn't want to be separated from their mother.

  • 14 分类 fēn lèi — classify HSK 5
    • 分 divide, separate
    • 类 category, type
    Example

    我们需要把这些文件分类整理。

    wǒ men xū yào bǎ zhè xiē wén jiàn fēn lèi zhěng lǐ

    We need to classify and organize these documents.

  • 15 分配 fēn pèi — to distribute, to allocate HSK 5
    • 分 to divide, to separate into parts
    • 配 to match, to pair up, to distribute to appropriate recipients
    Example

    公司将根据员工的工作表现分配奖金。

    gōng sī jiāng gēn jù yuán gōng de gōng zuò biǎo xiàn fēn pèi jiǎng jīn

    The company will distribute bonuses according to employees' work performance.

  • 16 学分 xué fēn — credit HSK 5
    • 学 study, academic
    • 分 unit, point
    Example

    你需要修满120个学分才能毕业。

    nǐ xū yào xiū mǎn yī bǎi èr shí gè xué fēn cái néng bì yè

    You need to complete 120 credits to graduate.

  • 17 比分 bǐ fēn — score HSK 5
    • 比 compete/match (the competitive aspect)
    • 分 points/score (numerical result)
    Example

    现在的比分是多少？

    xiàn zài de bǐ fēn shì duō shao

    What's the score now?

  • 18 分工 fēn gōng — divide work HSK 6
    • 分 divide, separate
    • 工 work, labor
    Example

    我们需要分工合作，才能按时完成项目。

    wǒ men xū yào fēn gōng hé zuò cái néng àn shí wán chéng xiàng mù

    We need to divide the work and cooperate to complete the project on time.

  • 19 分散 fēn sàn — disperse HSK 6
    • 分 divide, separate
    • 散 scatter, disperse
    Example

    注意力不要分散。

    zhù yì lì bú yào fēn sàn

    Don't let your attention be scattered.

  • 20 分期 fēn qī — to pay in installments HSK 6
    • 分 divide, split
    • 期 period, installment
    Example

    我想分期买这个手机。

    wǒ xiǎng fēn qī mǎi zhè ge shǒu jī

    I want to buy this phone in installments.

  • 21 分级 fēn jí — to classify HSK 6
    • 分 to divide, to separate
    • 级 grade, level, rank
    Example

    图书馆按照年龄对读者进行分级。

    tú shū guǎn àn zhào nián líng duì dú zhě jìn xíng fēn jí

    The library classifies readers by age.

  • 22 划分 huà fēn — divide, demarcate HSK 6
    • 划 to draw lines, to mark out boundaries
    • 分 to separate, to divide into parts
    Example

    政府将这个地区划分为三个行政区。

    zhèng fǔ jiāng zhè ge dì qū huà fēn wéi sān ge xíng zhèng qū

    The government divided this area into three administrative districts.

  • 23 区分 qū fēn — distinguish HSK 6
    • 区 to separate into areas/categories
    • 分 to divide, to separate
    Example

    我们要学会区分事实和观点。

    wǒ men yào xué huì qū fēn shì shí hé guān diǎn

    We need to learn to distinguish facts from opinions.

  • 24 百分点 bǎi fēn diǎn — percentage point HSK 6
    • 百 hundred (as part of 'percent')
    • 分 part, fraction (forms 'percent' with 百)
    • 点 point (unit of measurement)
    Example

    今年的失业率下降了两个百分点。

    jīn nián de shī yè lǜ xià jiàng le liǎng gè bǎi fēn diǎn

    The unemployment rate decreased by two percentage points this year.

  • 25 万分 wàn fēn — extremely HSK 7
    • 万 ten thousand; indicates an extreme degree
    • 分 part, portion; combines with 万 to mean 'to the ten thousandth part'
    Example

    我万分感谢你的帮助。

    wǒ wàn fēn gǎn xiè nǐ de bāng zhù

    I am extremely grateful for your help.

  • 26 分割 fēn gē — to divide; to partition HSK 7
    • 分 to divide, to separate into parts
    • 割 to cut, to sever (emphasizes the physical or decisive separation)
    Example

    这块土地被分割成几个部分。

    zhè kuài tǔ dì bèi fēn gē chéng jǐ gè bù fèn

    This piece of land was divided into several parts.

  • 27 分化 fēn huà — differentiate HSK 7
    • 分 divide, separate
    • 化 transform, change
    Example

    这些细胞在发育过程中会分化。

    zhè xiē xì bāo zài fā yù guò chéng zhōng huì fēn huà

    These cells will differentiate during the development process.

  • 28 分发 fēn fā — to distribute, to hand out HSK 7
    • 分 to divide, to separate (among recipients)
    • 发 to send out, to issue, to dispense
    Example

    老师在课堂上分发考试卷。

    lǎo shī zài kè táng shàng fēn fā kǎo shì juàn

    The teacher distributes exam papers in class.

  • 29 分寸 fēn cùn — sense of propriety HSK 7
    • 分 measure, degree
    • 寸 limit, small measure
    Example

    说话要有分寸，不要伤害别人的感情。

    shuō huà yào yǒu fēn cùn bú yào shāng hài bié rén de gǎn qíng

    When speaking, one must have a sense of propriety and not hurt others' feelings.

  • 30 分成 fēn chéng — divide into HSK 7
    • 分 divide, separate, split
    • 成 into, become (indicating result)
    Example

    我们把学生分成三个小组。

    wǒ men bǎ xué sheng fēn chéng sān gè xiǎo zǔ

    We divided the students into three small groups.

  • 31 分担 fēn dān — to share (a burden/responsibility) HSK 7
    • 分 to divide, to distribute
    • 担 to bear, to shoulder (a burden)
    Example

    我们应该分担家务。

    wǒ men yīng gāi fēn dān jiā wù

    We should share the housework.

  • 32 分支 fēn zhī — branch HSK 7
    • 分 to divide, to separate
    • 支 branch, offshoot
    Example

    这条河流有许多分支。

    zhè tiáo hé liú yǒu xǔ duō fēn zhī

    This river has many branches.

  • 33 分明 fēn míng — clearly HSK 7
    • 分 distinction, separation
    • 明 clear, bright
    Example

    他分明知道真相。

    tā fēn míng zhī dào zhēn xiàng

    He clearly knows the truth.

  • 34 分歧 fēn qí — divergence; disagreement HSK 7
    • 分 divide; separate
    • 歧 diverge; branch off
    Example

    我们在这个问题上存在分歧。

    wǒ men zài zhè ge wèn tí shàng cún zài fēn qí

    We have a disagreement on this issue.

  • 35 分泌 fēn mì — to secrete HSK 7
    • 分 to separate, to release
    • 泌 to ooze, to seep out
    Example

    人体会分泌各种激素。

    rén tǐ huì fēn mì gè zhǒng jī sù

    The human body secretes various hormones.

  • 36 分红 fēn hóng — distribute dividends HSK 7
    • 分 divide, distribute
    • 红 dividends, profits
    Example

    公司每年都会给股东分红。

    gōng sī měi nián dōu huì gěi gǔ dōng fēn hóng

    The company distributes dividends to shareholders every year.

  • 37 分裂 fēn liè — to split HSK 7
    • 分 to divide, to separate
    • 裂 to crack, to split
    Example

    细胞分裂是生物的基本过程。

    xì bāo fēn liè shì shēng wù de jī běn guò chéng

    Cell division is a basic biological process.

  • 38 分解 fēn jiě — to decompose; to break down HSK 7
    • 分 to divide; to separate
    • 解 to break apart; to dissolve
    Example

    有机物会自然分解。

    yǒu jī wù huì zì rán fēn jiě

    Organic matter will naturally decompose.

  • 39 分辨 fēn biàn — to distinguish HSK 7
    • 分 to separate, to divide apart
    • 辨 to discern, to recognize differences
    Example

    你能分辨这两种颜色吗？

    nǐ néng fēn biàn zhè liǎng zhǒng yán sè ma

    Can you distinguish these two colors?

  • 40 瓜分 guā fēn — to carve up, to partition HSK 7
    • 瓜 melon (provides imagery of cutting/dividing into sections)
    • 分 to divide, to separate (provides the core action)
    Example

    列强瓜分了这个国家的领土。

    liè qiáng guā fēn le zhè ge guó jiā de lǐng tǔ

    The great powers carved up this country's territory.

  • 41 百分比 bǎi fēn bǐ — percentage HSK 7
    • 百 hundred (the base unit for percentage)
    • 分 part/division (indicating fractional nature)
    • 比 ratio/proportion (indicating comparative aspect)
    Example

    学生通过考试的百分比是85%。

    xué shēng tōng guò kǎo shì de bǎi fēn bǐ shì bā shí wǔ bǎi fēn bǐ

    The percentage of students passing the exam is 85%.

夺 duó — seize, grab

Words with this character (7)
Show more (+2)
  • 6 抢夺 qiǎng duó — to snatch HSK 7
    • 抢 to seize forcefully
    • 夺 to take away by force
    Example

    歹徒在街上抢夺行人的包。

    dǎi tú zài jiē shàng qiǎng duó xíng rén de bāo

    The criminal snatches pedestrians' bags on the street.

  • 7 掠夺 lüè duó — to plunder HSK 7
    • 掠 to seize, to sweep away
    • 夺 to take by force, to seize
    Example

    侵略者掠夺了村庄的财富。

    qīn lüè zhě lüè duó le cūn zhuāng de cái fù

    The invaders plundered the village's wealth.

秒 miǎo — second (time unit)

Structure & writing
1 争 zhēng — to strive for; to compete for
争 is a component in 5 characters
HSK 3
净 jìng clean; neat 静 jìng still, motionless (opposite of 动)
HSK 5
挣 zhèng struggle to free oneself from restraint
HSK 6
睁 zhēng to open one's eyes
HSK 7
筝 zhēng guzheng (Chinese zither), a plucked string instrument

争 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

2 分 fēn — to divide; to separate (opposite of 合)
Xpinyin
分 is a component in 13 characters
HSK 4
份 fèn a portion or share of a whole divided into parts
HSK 5
扮 bàn to dress up as (a person or thing) 盆 pén basin or tub (typically round, wide-mouthed, shallow-bottomed, used for holding or washing things) 纷 fēn numerous and disorderly
HSK 6
氛 fēn atmosphere; aura 盼 pàn to eagerly hope for; to long for 粉 fěn fine powder 贫 pín poor, impoverished (opposite of 富)
HSK 7
吩 fēn (colloq.) to instruct or order verbally; to tell someone to do something (used in 吩咐) 岔 chà branch (of a mountain range, river, road, etc.) 掰 bāi to split or break apart with one's hands 芬 fēn fragrance of flowers and plants 颁 bān to issue; to promulgate

consists of

2.1 八 bā — eight (the number after seven)
八 is a component in 20 characters
HSK 1
公 gōng public; belonging to the state or collective (opposite of '私') 兴 xīng to be popular; to be in vogue 分 fēn to divide; to separate (opposite of 合) 只 zhǐ only; nothing else besides 真 zhēn real; genuine (corresponding to objective facts)
HSK 3
其 qí pronoun: ① he, they ② his, their ③ that, those 典 diǎn norm; rule; standard 办 bàn to handle; to deal with 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually
HSK 4
具 jù tool; utensil; implement
HSK 5
傻 shǎ foolish, stupid
HSK 6
兵 bīng weapon; arms 梁 liáng beam; horizontal load-bearing timber or structural member
HSK 7
兹 zī (lit., class.) demonstrative pronoun: this; this one 叭 ba 扒 bā to grip; to hold on to 柬 jiǎn general term for letters, cards, and invitations 睦 mù harmonious; amicable
Show more HSK 7 characters (+2)
穴 xué cave; pit or hole in the ground or a structure 趴 pā to lie face down
2.2 刀 dāo — knife; cutting tool used for slicing, cutting, or chopping
刀 is a component in 12 characters
HSK 1
分 fēn to divide; to separate (opposite of 合)
HSK 3
初 chū beginning; initial 解 jiě to split open; to separate
HSK 4
切 qiē to cut (with a knife, dividing into parts)
HSK 5
剪 jiǎn scissors; a cutting tool with two crossing blades 召 zhào to summon, to call
HSK 6
券 quàn ticket, voucher, or certificate 梁 liáng beam; horizontal load-bearing timber or structural member
HSK 7
劈 pī to chop or split open with a knife or axe 叨 dāo (colloq.) to talk endlessly; to chatter on and on (see "叨叨") 契 qì (lit.) to carve with a knife 寡 guǎ widowed (of a woman)

Stroke order

3 夺 duó — to seize by force; to snatch

夺 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

3.1 大 dà — large; great (in volume, area, quantity, force, intensity, etc.; opposite of 小)
Xpinyin
大 is a component in 34 characters
HSK 1
天 tiān sky 太 tài high; great
HSK 2
因 yīn cause; reason (opposite of 果) 夫 fū general term for an adult man 头 tóu head (of a person or animal)
HSK 3
参 cān to join; to participate (in an activity) 奇 qí rare; special; extraordinary
HSK 4
奋 fèn to rouse oneself; to strive vigorously 奖 jiǎng to reward; to praise 套 tào cover; sheath; case (placed over something) 庆 qìng to congratulate; to celebrate 美 měi beautiful; good-looking (opposite of "丑")
Show more HSK 4 characters (+1)
达 dá to go through; to reach
HSK 5
奈 nài how; in what way; what to do about 类 lèi kind; category; a group of similar things 衡 héng steelyard beam; weighing instrument such as a scale or balance
HSK 6
央 yāng to entreat; to beg 夸 kuā to boast; to exaggerate 夺 duó to seize by force; to snatch 奔 bēn to run; to rush 尖 jiān tip or pointed end of an object
Show more HSK 6 characters (+1)
牵 qiān to lead or pull along
HSK 7
夯 hāng a rammer or tamper used to compact foundations (wooden, stone, or iron) 夷 yí flat; peaceful 契 qì (lit.) to carve with a knife 奚 xī slave (in ancient times) 奠 diàn to offer sacrifices to the deceased as a tribute
Show more HSK 7 characters (+7)
奢 shē extravagant; lavish (opposite of 俭) 奥 ào southwest corner of a house in ancient times; inner recess of a room 攀 pān to climb by gripping something 爽 shuǎng bright and clear 犬 quǎn dog 莫 mò (lit.) no one; nothing 驮 tuó to carry on the back (of an animal)
3.2 寸 cùn — cun, a unit of length (1/10 of a 尺, approx. 1/30 meter)
寸 is a component in 25 characters
HSK 1
对 duì to answer; to reply 得 dé to get; to obtain (opposite of 失) 时 shí time; a relatively long period of time during which matter continuously changes or develops
HSK 2
过 guò to move from one place or party to another
HSK 3
封 fēng to confer a title, rank, or fief upon a vassal (in ancient times) 衬 chèn to line with a layer underneath or inside
HSK 4
付 fù to submit; to hand over 厨 chú kitchen 导 dǎo to guide; to channel 将 jiāng will; about to 尊 zūn of high status or seniority
Show more HSK 4 characters (+3)
村 cūn village; small residential settlement 耐 nài to endure; to withstand; to bear 讨 tǎo to launch a punitive expedition; to attack with troops
HSK 5
冠 guàn (lit.) to put on a hat (in ancient times, a capping ceremony at age 20 marked adulthood) 守 shǒu to defend, guard (opposite of 攻) 寻 xún ancient unit of length equal to eight chi (also said to be seven or six chi)
HSK 6
夺 duó to seize by force; to snatch 寿 shòu long-lived; advanced in age 射 shè to shoot or launch (an arrow, bullet, ball, etc.) 碍 ài to hinder, obstruct
HSK 7
嚼 jiáo to chew; to masticate 寺 sì ancient government office 祭 jì to pay tribute to the deceased 辱 rǔ shame; disgrace (opposite of 荣)

Stroke order

4 秒 miǎo — awn on grain husks

秒 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

4.1 禾 hé — rice seedling; rice plant
禾 is a component in 37 characters
HSK 1
和 hé harmonious; peaceful 租 zū to rent, pay to use something for an agreed period
HSK 3
季 jì the youngest among brothers (伯, 仲, 叔, 季 denoting birth order) 秋 qiū autumn; fall (third season of the year) 种 zhǒng species, the basic unit of biological classification, below genus 香 xiāng fragrant; pleasant-smelling (opposite of 臭)
HSK 4
乘 chéng to ride; to travel by (vehicle or animal) 利 lì sharp; keen (opposite of 'blunt') 秀 xiù (of plants) to put forth flowers or ears, especially crops 科 kē category of academic discipline, course, or field of work 秒 miǎo awn on grain husks
Show more HSK 4 characters (+3)
积 jī to accumulate gradually 程 chéng rules; regulations 稍 shāo slightly; a little
HSK 5
私 sī private; personal (opposite of 公) 秘 mì secret; not made public 称 chēng to call; to be called 移 yí to move; to shift 税 shuì tax; duties levied by the government
Show more HSK 5 characters (+1)
稳 wěn stable; steady
HSK 6
委 wěi winding, tortuous; euphemistic 秩 zhì (lit.) orderly; well-organized 稻 dào rice plant (annual grass with narrow leaves; staple crop in China, mainly paddy rice) 稼 jia to plant (grain crops) 稿 gǎo draft or manuscript of a poem, essay, drawing, etc.
Show more HSK 6 characters (+2)
菌 jūn microorganism (bacteria, fungi, mold, etc.); esp. pathogenic bacteria 颖 yǐng awn-bearing husk of certain grasses (e.g. rice, wheat)
HSK 7
秃 tū bald (of a person's head); bare of feathers or fur (of an animal's head or tail) 秉 bǐng (lit.) to hold; to grasp 秤 chèng weighing scale or balance (including steelyard, platform scale, spring scale, etc.); especially a steelyard 秧 yāng seedling of a plant, especially rice seedling 秽 huì dirty; unclean
Show more HSK 7 characters (+5)
稀 xī rare; scarce; few 稚 zhì (dial.) late-planted crops 稠 chóu thick; viscous (of liquid, opposite of 稀) 稽 jī to stay; to tarry 酥 sū food made from the skin of curdled cow's or goat's milk; clarified butter (ancient usage)
4.2 少 shǎo — few; little (opposite of 多)
Xpinyin
少 is a component in 11 characters
HSK 3
沙 shā sand; tiny stone particles
HSK 4
省 shěng to save; to economize (opposite of 费) 秒 miǎo awn on grain husks
HSK 5
吵 chǎo noisy and chaotic; disturbing 炒 chǎo to stir-fry (cook by stirring ingredients in hot oil in a wok)
HSK 6
劣 liè inferior, bad (opposite of 优) 妙 miào beautiful; fine 抄 chāo to copy (text); to transcribe
HSK 7
渺 miǎo vast and boundless (of water) 纱 shā yarn spun from cotton, hemp, etc., used to twist into thread or weave into cloth 钞 chāo banknote, paper currency

Stroke order