争先恐后
zhēngxiān-kǒnghòu
to strive to be first
Every meaning
zhēngxiān-kǒnghòu
- to strive to be first
Its characters
- 争zhēngto strive for; to compete for
- 先xiānfirst; in advance
- 恐kǒngto fear; afraid (as in 恐惧)
- 后hòuafter; later
Words with 争
Words with 先
Meanings are from Mandarin The Wild’s own dictionary. Levels follow the official HSK word list (the exam’s 2025 syllabus, levels 7–9 shown together).