争执
zhēng zhí · HSK 7
to dispute
争 contend + 执 hold firm = each side holds its ground and wrangles
争 means to contend or compete; 执 means to grasp or hold firmly (as in 固执, stubborn). Together: both parties cling to their stance and clash over it — a dispute or heated argument.
争 — hand 爫 (claw) over hand 又 pulling 亅
争 depicts two hands grabbing the same object from above and below, with a vertical stroke representing the contested item between them. The image of two parties tugging at one thing gave rise to its meanings of 'to contend,' 'to fight for,' or 'to dispute.' The modern simplified form streamlines the older 爭.