割拠

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 割拠 is a noun and irregular intransitive verb read かっきょ, describing rival powers holding separate regions.
• Basic usage: The powers are the subject in 勢力が割拠する, and the word also appears in the fixed compound 群雄割拠.
  • 各地の勢力が割拠する時代を描いた物語だ。 describes a story set in an era of regionally divided powers; 群雄割拠の情勢を地図で整理した。 describes organizing the situation of competing leaders on a map.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 勢力が割拠する
  • が marks the powers occupying separate regions.
• 群雄割拠
  • This compact expression describes several powerful leaders contending from different regions.
• 地図で整理する
  • で marks the map as the means used to organize the regional situation.