Translation guide
The English word 'bout' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: a short period of activity or illness, a boxing or wrestling match, and a sudden attack of something. It also touches on less common meanings like a contest or a curved part of a musical instrument.
Referring to a brief, often intense, period of doing something or suffering from an illness.
This pattern means 'a spell of N' or 'a bout of N', where N is a noun describing the activity or condition. It implies a continuous period of that activity.
He had a bout of coughing.
After a bout of rain, the sky cleared.
Used specifically for sudden, often medical, attacks or fits, such as a bout of coughing, asthma, or pain. It emphasizes the sudden onset.
I had an asthma attack (a bout of asthma).
I can't stop this coughing bout.
A general word for 'period'. When combined with a descriptor, it can translate 'bout', but it's less vivid than other options. Often used with adjectives like 短い (short) or 長い (long).
He had a short bout of depression.
An adverb meaning 'for a while' or 'for some time', often used with verbs to indicate a bout of action. It can stand alone or modify a verb.
He had a bout of crying.
Referring to a contest or fight, especially in combat sports.
The most common word for a sports match or bout. It is used for boxing, wrestling, martial arts, and other competitive events.
There's a boxing bout tonight.
He won the bout.
Emphasizes the contest or deciding of victory/defeat. It can be used for fights or matches, often with a nuance of a decisive showdown.
Describing a sudden, often overwhelming, experience of something negative like pain, fever, or an emotion.
As above, this is the primary medical term for a sudden attack or fit. It works for both physical and some emotional bouts (e.g., a bout of anxiety).
He suffers from bouts of anxiety.
Literally 'to be attacked by N'. This pattern vividly expresses being overcome by a sudden bout of something like sleepiness, pain, or emotion.
I was suddenly hit by a bout of sleepiness.
Referring to any kind of competitive event, not just combat sports.
A general term for a contest or competition, often used in sports. It can translate 'bout' when referring to a match in a tournament.
The next bout is judo.
Means 'match' or 'versus', often used in tournament brackets or when listing opponents. It can refer to a bout between two specific competitors.
Referring to the curved sides of a string instrument like a violin or guitar.
The technical term for the side (rib) of a string instrument. In violin making, the 'bout' refers to the curved sections of the side. This is a specialized term.
The violin's bouts have beautiful curves.
Use 発作 (hossa) for medical or sudden, uncontrollable attacks (asthma, coughing, anxiety). Use ひとしきりの (hitoshikiri no) for a spell or period of activity or weather that is continuous but not necessarily a medical 'attack'.
試合 (shiai) means a sports match or bout. It cannot be used for a bout of illness or weather. Using it in that context would be confusing.
(incorrect) a bout of cold
This is a serious bout.
Refers to a scuffle or grappling bout, often informal or street fighting rather than a regulated sport. It implies grabbing and struggling.
A bout of fisticuffs broke out between the drunks.
彼は激しい痛みに襲われた。
He was seized by a bout of intense pain.
彼の初戦の対戦相手は強敵だ。
His first bout is against a strong opponent.
a bout of cold