Rival facts for kids

A rival is a person or group trying to achieve the same goal as someone else, often aiming to do it better. They are "competing" against each other. This kind of competition is called rivalry. Rivals are usually quite evenly matched in their abilities.

What is a Rival?

A rival is someone who competes with you for the same thing. Think of it like two runners in a race, both trying to cross the finish line first. They are rivals because they have the same goal and are trying to be the best. This friendly or sometimes intense competition is known as rivalry.

Rivals in Everyday Life

Rivalry can be found in many parts of our daily lives, from games to families. It helps people push themselves to improve and achieve more.

Business Rivals

In the world of business, companies often become rivals. For example, two different ice cream shops in the same neighborhood are rivals. They both want to sell the most ice cream. This competition can lead them to offer better products or services to attract customers.

Sibling Rivalry

It's very common for brothers and sisters to be rivals. They might compete for their parents' attention, for toys, or even for who gets to sit in the front seat of the car. This type of rivalry is a normal part of growing up in a family.

Sports Rivals

In sport, two teams or athletes can be strong rivals. For instance, two football teams from the same city might have a long history of rivalry. This usually means their games are very exciting to watch. While they compete hard, this kind of rivalry is often friendly and respectful.

Countries as Rivals

Sometimes, countries can become rivals. This happens when they both want power or control over the same resources or areas. For example, in the past, countries might have competed to control trade routes or territories. This kind of rivalry can be serious and, in rare cases, has led to war. However, most international rivalry today involves economic competition or political influence, rather than direct conflict.

Images for kids

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  Tweedledum and Tweedledee, fictional rivals from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass.

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  Rivalry between France and Germany has existed as long as the two nations states have; here, officers from the Prussian Gardes du Corps, wishing to provoke war, sharpen their swords on the steps of the French embassy in Berlin in the autumn of 1806.

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  Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain were political rivals for the leadership of the UK for much of the 1930s as the Second World War loomed.

See also

In Spanish: Enemigo para niños