Quick answer
競 is the kanji for "Compete". Its reading is きそ.う (kisou). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Compete
Also : Race · Contest
Learn 競 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
20 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 競 represents 'EMULATE'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of emulate.
On-reading: きょう — remember this sound by associating it with emulate. Kun-reading: きそ.う.
Example Sentences
二人の選手が最後まで競い合い、会場全体が興奮に包まれました。
ふたりのせんしゅがさいごまできそいあい、かいじょうぜんたいがこうふんにつつまれました。
Two athletes competed against each other until the very end, and the entire venue was filled with excitement.
競争社会において、自分だけのスキルを磨くことが大切です。
きょうそうしゃかいにおいて、じぶんだけのすきるをみがくことがたいせつです。
In a competitive society, it's important to hone your own unique skills.
Vocabulary using 競
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
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