决斗
jué dòu
In Chinese, 'duel' is translated as 决斗 (jué dòu).
决斗 refers to a combat between two persons. While it describes historical duels, it is also used metaphorically in modern contexts such as sports or gaming.
Meaning: combat between two persons (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of 'engaging in a duel' as a verb phrase, it is common to use the verb 进行 before 决斗, forming the phrase 进行决斗.
How do you pronounce it?
jué dòu
Did you know?
- If two people are competing in a high-stakes verbal argument rather than a physical fight, you might say they are 'dueling' with the phrase 唇枪舌战 (chún qiāng shé zhàn), which literally means 'lip spears and tongue battles'.
- In modern Chinese internet slang, when two people are 'dueling' in a debate or a game, users might use the term 对线 (duì xiàn) instead of the more formal 决斗.
- In the context of Wuxia literature, a 'duel' often involves a 'challenge letter' called a 挑战书, which is a formal social contract that the opponent is honor-bound to answer.
Examples in context
- 决斗是不容小觑的事情。A duel is not to be taken lightly.
- 我们之间要切磋一下。Let's have a friendly duel between us.
- 最后的对决将决定胜负。The final duel will determine the victory or defeat.
- 他们在黑暗中进行了殊死的战斗。They engaged in a life-or-death duel in the darkness.
- 这场决斗非常激烈。Zhè chǎng juédòu fēicháng jīliè.This duel was very intense.
- 他们决定进行一场决斗。Tāmen juédìng jìnxíng yì chǎng juédòu.They decided to have a duel.
- 这是一场生死决斗。Zhè shì yì chǎng shēng sǐ juédòu.This is a duel of life and death.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a scene from a historical movie.
- 梓涵 Zihan电影里的那场决斗好看吗？Diànyǐng lǐ de nà chǎng juédòu hǎokàn ma?Was the duel in the movie good?
- 浩然 Haoran非常精彩，动作很流畅。Fēicháng jīngcǎi, dòngzuò hěn liúchàng.It was wonderful, the movements were very smooth.
- 梓涵 Zihan浩然，你也喜欢这种题材吗？Hàorán, nǐ yě xǐhuān zhè zhǒng tícái ma?Haoran, do you also like this kind of subject?
- 浩然 Haoran是的，我一直很喜欢。Shì de, wǒ yìzhí hěn xǐhuān.Yes, I have always liked it.
