Translation guide
The English word "defeat" can be a noun or a verb. As a verb, it means to beat an opponent or overcome a challenge. As a noun, it means the act of losing or being beaten. Japanese expresses these ideas with different words and grammar patterns depending on transitivity, formality, and context.
Expressing the action of beating an opponent or enemy.
Transitive verb meaning 'to defeat', 'to beat', or 'to knock down'. Used for defeating opponents in games, battles, or sports. Can also mean to overthrow or kill.
Defeat the enemy.
He defeated the champion.
Transitive verb meaning 'to defeat' or 'to beat'. Often used in sports or games. Slightly more colloquial than 倒す.
I beat him at tennis.
Compound verb meaning 'to defeat thoroughly' or 'to beat decisively'. Emphasizes a clear victory.
Defeat a powerful enemy.
Means 'to defeat' in the sense of breaking through or overcoming an opponent, often used in formal contexts like records or barriers.
Break through the opponent's defense.
Expressing the state of losing or being beaten.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to lose' or 'to be defeated'. The most common word for losing in games, sports, or battles.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be defeated' or 'to be beaten'. More formal and often used in written language or news reports.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to fall' or 'to be defeated'. Often used for being overthrown or collapsing.
Referring to the event or state of losing.
Noun meaning 'defeat' or 'loss'. Used in formal or serious contexts like war, sports, or politics.
Admit defeat.
Noun form of 負ける, meaning 'loss' or 'defeat'. Common in casual speech and compounds like 負け犬 (loser).
Noun meaning 'defeat in war' or 'lost battle'. Specifically refers to military defeat.
Expressing overcoming difficulties, obstacles, or abstract challenges.
Both mean 'to defeat', but 倒す is more general and can imply physical defeat or overthrow, while 負かす is specifically about beating someone in a contest or game. 倒す can also mean 'to kill' in some contexts.
Be careful with transitive/intransitive pairs: 倒す (defeat someone) vs 倒れる (be defeated/fall); 負かす (defeat someone) vs 負ける (lose/be defeated). Using the wrong one changes who is doing the action.
They defeated the enemy army.
She admitted defeat.
We must overcome this crisis.
チームは決勝で敗れた。
The team was defeated in the finals.
独裁者が倒れた。
The dictator was defeated/overthrown.
I've been having a lot of losses today.
敗戦国
Defeated nation
誘惑に打ち勝つ。
Overcome temptation.