勾心鬥角 gōu xīn dòu jiǎo

to fight and scheme against each other (idiom)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to fight and scheme against each other (idiom)
  2. 2. (in palace construction) elaborate and refined

Characters

Character Meaning
勾 gōu HSK 6
to tick; to attract; to arouse
心 xīn HSK 3
heart; mind; intention
鬥 dòu
to fight; to contend; to struggle
角 jiǎo HSK 3
corner; angle