1、compete

竞争

The banks have long competed with American Express's charge cards and various store cards.

长久以来，这些银行一直在与美国运通公司的信用卡以及各式各样的商场赊购卡竞争。

The stores will inevitably end up competing with each other in their push for increased market shares.

在努力争取更大的市场份额的过程中，这些商场最终将不可避免地相互展开竞争。

（与…）争夺（以获取）

Kangaroos compete with sheep and cattle for sparse supplies of food and water.

袋鼠与牛羊争夺稀少的食物和水。

Schools should not compete with each other or attempt to poach pupils.

学校之间不应该相互竞争，也不应该企图挖走彼此的学生。

参加(比赛)

He will be competing in the London-Calais-London race.

他将参加伦敦至加来的航海往返赛。

Dubbed foreign language films will not be allowed to compete for best film.

外国译制片不得参加最佳影片的角逐。

2、variable

多变的;易变的;反复无常的

The potassium content of foodstuffs is very variable.

食物中钾的含量差别很大。

There was a bit of a wind and it was blowing onshore, variable, but quite strong.

有一阵风朝岸上吹来，风向变化不定，但风力很强。

（质量、数量、规模等）可变因素

Decisions could be made on the basis of price, delivery dates, after-sales service or any other variable.

购买决定可能会基于价格、送货日期、售后服务以及其他可变因素。

Other variables in making forecasts for the industry include the weather and the general economic climate

对该产业进行预测时还要考虑天气和宏观经济环境等其他不确定因素。