‘争取’ is a compound verb meaning 'to strive to obtain' or 'to endeavor to win' — often something desirable but not guaranteed, such as support, time, opportunity, or approval. The first character 争 (zhēng) means 'to compete' or 'to contend', and the second 取 (qǔ) means 'to take' or 'to obtain'. Together, they convey active, purposeful effort toward securing a goal that requires initiative and persistence.

This word is commonly used in formal, academic, professional, or aspirational contexts — for example, when discussing social change, personal development, policy advocacy, or resource allocation. It implies agency and intentionality, distinguishing it from passive waiting or simple acquisition. While often positive in tone, it can carry subtle urgency or even pressure depending on context, especially when used with goals like '争取时间' (strive for more time) or '争取支持' (endeavor to win support).