Translation guide
The English word 'bet' covers wagering money, expressing certainty, and making informal challenges. Japanese uses different expressions for each. This guide helps learners choose the right one.
To risk money or something valuable on an uncertain outcome, such as a game, race, or event.
The most common verb for 'to bet' or 'to wager'. Used with the particle に for the thing bet on, and を for the thing wagered.
競馬に一万円を賭けた。
I bet 10,000 yen on a horse race.
彼は自分の車を賭けて勝負した。
He bet his car on the match.
A noun phrase meaning 'to make a bet' or 'to place a wager'. Often used when the bet is informal or between friends.
友達と夕食をかけて賭けをした。
I made a bet with a friend for dinner.
The noun 'bet' or 'wager'. Can be used in phrases like 賭けに勝つ (win a bet) or 賭けに負ける (lose a bet).
その賭けに勝った。
I won that bet.
Refers to gambling in general, often with a legal or formal connotation. Not used for casual bets.
賭博は法律で禁止されている。
Gambling is prohibited by law.
To say you are very sure about something, often used in phrases like 'I bet (that)...' or 'You bet!'.
A natural way to express strong belief or certainty. 'きっと' means 'surely' or 'I'm sure'. Add よ for emphasis.
きっと彼は来ると思うよ。
I bet he'll come.
きっと大丈夫だと思う。
I bet it'll be fine.
Very casual and emphatic. '絶対' means 'absolutely'. Often used among friends.
絶対あいつが犯人だよ。
I bet he's the culprit.
Literally 'there is no mistake'. Used to express certainty, like 'no doubt' or 'I'm sure'.
Literally 'I can bet on it', used to express high confidence. Somewhat dramatic.
彼が成功するって賭けてもいいよ。
I bet he'll succeed. (I'd wager on it.)
To challenge someone to prove a claim, similar to 'I bet you can't...' or 'Wanna bet?'.
A confrontational way to say 'I bet you can't do it'. Very direct and masculine.
できるもんならやってみろよ。
I bet you can't do it. (Go ahead if you can.)
Literally 'Shall we bet?'. Used to challenge someone's statement in a playful way.
本当にできるの？賭けようか？
Can you really do it? Wanna bet?
A longer phrase meaning 'If you think it's a lie, I'll bet on it.' Used to assert truthfulness.
嘘だと思うなら賭けてもいいよ。
If you think I'm lying, I'll bet on it.
When expressing certainty, using 賭ける sounds like you are literally wagering money. Use きっと or 絶対 instead.
きっと雨が降るよ。
I bet it will rain.
賭ける is for actual betting with stakes. きっと is for expressing confidence without stakes. Mixing them up can cause confusion.
I bet he'll win. / No doubt he'll win.