挑 means “challenge, take on”

いどむ · idomu

Also: contend for, make love to

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

いどむ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

チョウ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 9 strokes

The story

A hand (扌) beside 兆, cracks spreading through a heated shell: picture prodding a rival until something gives. 挑む is to take on a challenge, 挑戦 is the challenge itself, and 挑発 is provocation.

Used in 挑戦 (chousen, challenge), 挑む (idomu, to challenge), and 挑発 (chouhatsu, provocation)

More from Attack & Conquer

• 侵 invade
• 襲 attack
• 敵 enemy
• 征 conquer
• 虜 captive
• 伐 cut down
• 撃 strike
• 討 attack
• 攻 attack
• 狙 aim at
• 闘 fight
• 衝 collide

Learn 挑 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.