Translation guide
Expresses a game or match where the scores are very near and the outcome is uncertain until the end.
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).
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.
After a close game, our team won.
昨日の試合は接戦だった。
Yesterday's game was a close one.
The close game continued until the very end.
Literally 'a game of narrow margin'. Slightly more formal or written than 接戦.
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'.
The two teams played a close, evenly matched game.
A loanword from English 'seesaw game', used for a back-and-forth close contest where the lead changes frequently.
It was a seesaw game; I couldn't take my eyes off it until the end.
Literally 'a victory on thin ice', meaning a very narrow win. Used for describing a close game that was barely won.
They secured a narrow victory in a close game.
選挙は僅差で決まった。
The election was decided by a narrow margin.