Radical 冫

8 strokes

ice 冫 (360a) + contend 争 (721a) = clean 净

干净 (124) gānjìng clean (adjective)

The tour guide in the arctic points to the ice and says, “I contend that this is the most pure and clean water in the world.” / The dwarf in charge of the husky sledge for transport jingles the sledge bells impatiently (he’s heard it all before and wants to move on).

bow (51a) + dexterity (312a) = contend 争

This character can mean “argue (about)” or “compete (for)”. You may see an older form of this character which has “claw” (365b) instead of “bow”.

(In the pickpocket’s master-class) The expert demonstrates his skill by bowing to the volunteer and, with great dexterity, simultaneously picking his pocket without being noticed. “I contend, ladies and gentlemen,” he says, “that this is the ultimate skill.” / [No pronunciation needed]