挑
challenge, contend for, make love to
Readings
On'yomi
- チョウ
Kun'yomi
- いど.む
Meaning
挑 centers on confronting something head-on: challenging, contending for a goal, or making a bold advance. The 'make love to' sense is a specific, intimate application of that forward, provocative energy.
Most common words using 挑
- 挑戦ちょうせんN2
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
- 挑むいどむN1
to challenge to (a fight, game, etc.); to throw down the gauntlet; to contend for
- 挑発ちょうはつ
provocation; stirring up; arousal; excitement; stimulation
- 挑発的ちょうはつてき
provocative; incendiary; inflammatory
- 初挑戦はつちょうせん
first challenge; first try
- 挑戦状ちょうせんじょうN2
(written) challenge
- 再挑戦さいちょうせん
retry; another try; another go
- 反抗挑戦性障害はんこうちょうせんせいしょうがい
oppositional defiant disorder; OOD
- 反抗挑発症はんこうちょうはつしょう
oppositional defiant disorder; OOD
- 戦いを挑むたたかいをいどむ
to challenge (a person) to a fight
- 戦争挑発せんそうちょうはつ
aggression; warmongering
- 挑戦権ちょうせんけん
right to challenge; right to make a challenge
- 挑戦的ちょうせんてき
challenging; defiant; provocative; aggressive
- 挑戦者ちょうせんしゃ
challenger
- 挑発行為ちょうはつこうい
provocative behaviour; provocative action
Study
Etymology
挑 combines 扌 (hand) with 兆, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a sign or omen, suggesting a hand raised in challenge or provocation.
Meaning mnemonic
A hand 扌 beside 兆, which looks like a sign or omen. Picture a hand raising a challenge flag, provoking a contest or a bold advance.
Reading mnemonic
For チョウ, imagine a challenger named Chou raising his hand to contend: Chou -> チョウ, and his hand 扌 issues the challenge.