Translation guide
Expressing the act of defeating someone or something in Japanese, covering competition, battles, and overcoming challenges.
To win against someone in sports, games, or contests.
The most common verb for winning or defeating an opponent. Used with に to mark the opponent.
彼はテニスの試合で私に勝った。
He defeated me in the tennis match.
To defeat or beat someone, often with a nuance of knocking them down or overcoming them. Common in fighting games and sports.
The boxer defeated his opponent.
To defeat or beat someone, emphasizing the act of making them lose. Slightly more emphatic than 勝つ.
He defeated me in chess.
To thoroughly defeat or beat someone, often used in competitive contexts. More intense than 負かす.
They defeated a strong opponent.
To overcome an adversary in war, fighting, or serious confrontation.
Commonly used for defeating enemies in battle, video games, or physical fights.
The hero defeated the dragon.
To defeat or beat an enemy, often with a sense of breaking their power or formation. Used for armies or forces.
To defeat or vanquish an enemy, often with a sense of justice or vengeance. Used in historical or dramatic contexts.
To defeat a difficulty, problem, or abstract opponent.
To overcome or conquer a difficulty, fear, or weakness. Not used for defeating people.
He overcame his fear.
To triumph over adversity or hardship. More literary than 克服する.
To get over or surmount a difficulty, often with a sense of moving past it.
勝つ is the general verb for winning against someone, while 倒す implies physically knocking down or thoroughly defeating, often used in fights or games. Use 勝つ for simple victories and 倒す when emphasizing the act of bringing down an opponent.
When talking about overcoming a difficulty, do not use 倒す or 勝つ. Use 克服する or 乗り越える instead. Saying 問題に勝つ sounds unnatural.
我々は敵軍を破った。
We defeated the enemy army.
He defeated his enemy (avenged).
彼女は困難に打ち勝った。
She overcame the difficulties.
He overcame that sadness.