Translation guide
Describes a person who reacts poorly to losing, often with anger, sulking, or blaming others. Japanese expresses this through specific adjectives, verbs, and set phrases rather than a single noun.
Describe someone who gets upset, angry, or sulky when they lose a game, competition, or argument.
Literally 'disliking losing', this is the most common way to describe a competitive person who hates to lose. It often has a slightly positive nuance of being determined, but can also imply being a sore loser depending on context.
彼は負けず嫌いだから、ゲームに負けるとすぐに怒る。
He's a sore loser, so he gets angry right away when he loses a game.
Refers to making excuses or sour grapes after losing. It's the act of being a bad loser, often used in phrases like 負け惜しみを言う (to make excuses for losing).
負け惜しみを言うのはみっともないよ。
It's unbecoming to make excuses for losing.
Verb meaning to show frustration or chagrin over losing. It describes the visible reaction of being upset, which can be seen as being a bad loser if excessive.
彼は試合に負けて悔しがっていた。
He was really upset about losing the match.
To sulk or pout, often used when someone, especially a child, acts petulantly after losing.
負けたからってすねないで。
Don't sulk just because you lost.
Describe actions typical of a bad loser, such as complaining about unfairness, blaming equipment, or refusing to accept defeat gracefully.
To make excuses. A common behavior of a bad loser.
彼はいつも負けると言い訳ばかりする。
He always makes excuses when he loses.
To blame others. A typical bad loser trait.
負けたのを人のせいにするのはやめなさい。
Stop blaming others for your loss.
To become sulky and uncooperative, often with a defiant attitude. Stronger than すねる.
Describe a person who cannot admit defeat or move on, often holding a grudge.
To not admit defeat. A clear sign of a bad loser.
彼は最後まで負けを認めなかった。
He never admitted defeat until the very end.
To hold a grudge; to bear a lasting resentment over a loss.
彼は負けたことをいつまでも根に持っている。
He holds a grudge about losing forever.
負けず嫌い describes a person's competitive nature (hating to lose), while 負け惜しみ refers to the excuses or sour grapes after losing. A 負けず嫌い person may or may not show 負け惜しみ.
彼女は負けず嫌いだが、負け惜しみは言わない。
She hates losing, but she doesn't make excuses.
There is no direct noun equivalent for 'bad loser' in Japanese. Avoid literal translations like 悪い敗者. Use the phrases above to describe the behavior or trait.
After losing, he sulked and wouldn't talk to anyone.