Translation guide
To compete or contend for something, often with a sense of rivalry or striving.
Expressing that people or groups are competing to win or achieve something.
General verb meaning to compete or contend, often for a prize, position, or honor.
彼らは優勝を競っている。
They are vying for the championship.
To compete or struggle for something, often with a stronger sense of conflict or dispute.
候補者たちが議席を争っている。
The candidates are vying for the seat.
Idiomatic phrase meaning to compete fiercely, literally 'to sharpen one's swords'.
各社が市場シェアをめぐってしのぎを削っている。
Companies are vying fiercely for market share.
To compete closely, often in a back-and-forth manner, like in an auction or race.
二台の車がトップを競り合っている。
The two cars are vying for the lead.
Expressing that people are trying hard to outdo each other in some quality or activity.
Same as above, but used broadly for intense competition in any field.
若手俳優たちが主役の座をめぐって鎬を削っている。
Young actors are vying for the lead role.
To compete with each other, emphasizing mutual rivalry.
Expressing that people are trying to get someone's attention or approval.
Literally 'compete to attract attention', used when people try to win someone's favor.
彼女の気を引こうと、二人の男性が競っている。
The two men are vying for her attention.
To vie for someone's favor or affection, often used in historical or literary contexts.
宮廷では、貴族たちが王の寵愛を争っていた。
At court, the nobles vied for the king's favor.
競う (kisou) is often used for friendly or sports-like competition, while 争う (arasou) can imply a more serious conflict or struggle. For 'vie' in the sense of striving for a prize, 競う is usually more appropriate.
This phrase is very common in news and business contexts to describe intense competition. It can be written with kanji (鎬を削る) or kana (しのぎを削る).
学生たちは成績を競い合っている。
The students are vying for better grades.