compete

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 競 has 20 strokes and conveys competing in ability or conditions.
• Basic usage: 競う is read きそう, and 競争 is read きょうそう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• What is contested and ongoing competition
  • 速さを競った means competing in speed.
  • を marks what is being contested.
  • 値段だけで競う means competing only on price.
  • 競争している describes the ongoing action of competing.