対抗

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 対抗 is read as たいこう and is a noun and する verb for opposing or competing against another party's strength or ability.
• Basic usage: Competing against another school appears in 強豪校に対抗する, while opposing one another appears in 互いに対抗する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Opponent being faced
  • A particular opponent can take に, while 互いに expresses a relationship in which both sides oppose one another.
• Difference from 競争
  • 競争 broadly means competing for the same goal or advantage, while 対抗 focuses on standing against and matching another side's strength.