zhēng争competexiān先firstkǒng恐fearhòu后behind
Striving to be first and fearing to be last; rushing headlong.
Literal meaning
compete (争) — first (先) — fear (恐) — behind (后)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing a competitive situation where everyone is eager to be first.
Examples
Zài在cù促xiāo销huó活dòng动zhōng中，rén人men们zhēng争xiān先kǒng恐hòu后de地qiǎng抢gòu购shāng商pǐn品。
During the promotional event, people rushed to buy goods, striving to be first.
Hái孩zi子men们zhēng争xiān先kǒng恐hòu后de地huí回dá答lǎo老shī师de的wèn问tí题。
The children eagerly answered the teacher's questions, striving to be first.
Usage & nuances
Often used in situations involving competition or limited resources.
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