相そう克こく

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

rivalry; conflict; struggle

Describes a fundamental opposition or clash between two irreconcilable forces, principles, or entities. Often used in abstract or formal contexts.

• 自じ由ゆうと規き律りつの相そう克こくは、社しゃ会かいの永えい遠えんのテーマだ。

  The conflict between freedom and discipline is an eternal theme of society.

• 彼かれの心こころの中なかでは、理り想そうと現げん実じつが相そう克こくしている。

  In his mind, ideals and reality are in conflict.

noun

mutual overcoming cycle; destructive cycle (five elements)

Technical term in Chinese philosophy: the cycle where each of the five elements overcomes another (wood→earth→water→fire→metal→wood). Contrasts with 相生 (mutual generation cycle).

See also: 相生

• 五ご行ぎょう説せつでは、相そう克こくと相そう生せいの二ふたつの循じゅん環かんがある。

  In the theory of the five elements, there are two cycles: mutual overcoming and mutual generation.