争论
zhēng lùn · HSK 4
to argue
💬 争论 = 争 contend + 论 discuss
争 means to compete or contend; 论 means to discuss or theorize. Together they form the act of contending through discussion — an argument or debate. Compare 讨论 (tǎolùn, calm discussion) where 争 is swapped for 讨 (seek).
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.