挑战 — meaning in English: challenge

tiǎozhàn · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for challenge

挑战

tiǎozhàn

救护车

jiùhù chē

出席

chūxí

老师

lǎoshī

白

bái

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Mandarin Chinese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use '挑战' (tiǎozhàn) in discussions about personal growth, such as when someone decides to take on a difficult project at work or when participating in competitive sports. It's commonly heard in motivational speeches and casual conversations among friends discussing their ambitions.

Synonyms & nuances

While '挑战' (tiǎozhàn) means challenge, '考验' (kǎoyàn) is often used in contexts referring to tests or trials that assess one's abilities. You would choose '挑战' when focusing on the act of facing or overcoming an obstacle, whereas '考验' is more about evaluating responses to a situation.

Culture

'挑战' (tiǎozhàn) is composed of two characters: '挑' (tiāo), meaning 'to pick or choose', and '战' (zhàn), meaning 'to battle or fight'. This combination reflects the idea of actively engaging with difficulties rather than avoiding them, which resonates deeply in Chinese culture where perseverance is highly valued. Interestingly, the concept of embracing challenges can be linked to ancient Chinese philosophies that promote resilience.

FAQ

Q.What does the word 挑战 (tiǎozhàn) mean?

'挑战' (tiǎozhàn) means 'challenge' in English. It implies confronting difficulties head-on and striving to overcome them, making it a motivational term in various contexts.

Q.How do I use 挑战 (tiǎozhàn) in a sentence?

You can say, '我想接受这个挑战' (Wǒ xiǎng jiēshòu zhège tiǎozhàn), which means 'I want to take on this challenge.' This shows your willingness to engage with a task that may be difficult.

Q.Are there common mistakes when using 挑战 (tiǎozhàn)?

A common mistake is to confuse '挑战' (tiǎozhàn) with '困难' (kùnán), which means difficulty. While both refer to tough situations, '挑战' emphasizes active engagement and overcoming obstacles.

Learn mandarin chinese with Maspeak →

Chinese (Mandarin) 2000