Translation guide
Expresses a game or match where the scores are very near and the outcome is uncertain until the end.
接戦だった。
It was a close game.
The speaker wants to say that a game or match was very competitive, with a narrow margin of victory.
A noun meaning a close contest or tight game. Often used with だった (was) or になる (becomes).
昨日の試合は接戦だった。
Yesterday's game was a close one.
最後まで接戦が続いた。
The close game continued until the very end.
Literally 'a game of narrow margin'. Slightly more formal or written than 接戦.
それは僅差の試合で、どちらが勝ってもおかしくなかった。
It was a close game, and either side could have won.
Emphasizes that the opponents were evenly matched. 互角 means 'equal' or 'evenly matched'.
両チームは互角の勝負を繰り広げた。
The two teams played a close, evenly matched game.
Literally 'a victory on thin ice', meaning a very narrow win. Used for describing a close game that was barely won.
彼らは薄氷の勝利を収めた。
They secured a narrow victory in a close game.
接戦 is the most common and natural way to say 'close game' in everyday conversation. 僅差 (きんさ) is slightly more formal and often used in written reports or statistics, emphasizing the small point difference.
接戦の末、我がチームが勝った。
After a close game, our team won.
選挙は僅差で決まった。
The election was decided by a narrow margin.
A loanword from English 'seesaw game', used for a back-and-forth close contest where the lead changes frequently.
試合はシーソーゲームで、最後まで目が離せなかった。
It was a seesaw game; I couldn't take my eyes off it until the end.