Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of 'competing' in Japanese, including participating in contests, vying for something, and rivalry in business or personal contexts.
I'm competing in a tennis match tomorrow.
More formal, used for tournaments or large-scale competitions. '出場する' means to participate in an event.
He competed in the national tournament.
A formal term for competing in athletic events. Often used in written or official contexts.
The athletes competed seriously.
To strive against others to win or achieve something, often with a sense of rivalry.
A versatile verb meaning 'to compete for'. Attach the object being competed for with を.
They are competing for the championship.
Many companies are competing for market share.
Similar to 競う, but often implies a more intense or direct struggle. Can be used for abstract things like power or rights.
General term for 'to compete', often used in business, sports, or any competitive situation.
To describe an ongoing competitive relationship, often in business, sports, or personal contexts.
Loanword from English, widely used for a rival in any context. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to be rivals'.
He is my biggest rival.
Used mainly in business contexts for competitors or competing products. Often appears as 競合他社 (competitor companies).
To compete or rival in a more personal, sometimes petty way. Can imply trying to outdo someone.
To vie for something intangible like love, recognition, or favor.
As above, but used for intangible things. 争う can be used for competing for affection, attention, etc.
The siblings were competing for their parents' affection.
Literally 'to take mutually', meaning to scramble or compete for something, often with a sense of grabbing or fighting over it.
競う (kisou) is often used for friendly or sportsmanlike competition, while 争う (arasou) can imply a more serious struggle or conflict. 競争する (kyousou suru) is a general term for competing, often used in business or races.
Avoid directly translating 'competing' as a standalone word. In Japanese, you usually need to specify what you are competing in or for, using phrases like 試合に出る or 〜を競う.
They are competing for power.
We are competing on price.
Those two are always competing with each other.
競合他社の動向を分析する。
Analyze the moves of competing companies.
彼女はいつも私と張り合おうとする。
She always tries to compete with me.
The children are competing for the toy.