Translation guide
Describes intense, difficult combat or struggle, often in military, sports, or competitive contexts. Japanese expressions vary by formality and whether the focus is on the action, the participants, or the overall situation.
A fierce battle unfolded between the two armies.
A noun meaning 'fierce battle' or 'hard-fought contest'. Often used in news or formal contexts.
That match was a hard-fought battle.
Literally 'death struggle', implying a life-or-death fight. Very intense, often used in dramatic or literary contexts.
They engaged in a desperate, life-or-death struggle.
Characterizing someone as a tenacious, aggressive fighter.
Emphasizing that success required great struggle.
激しい戦い is the most versatile and can be used in casual conversation. 激戦 is more formal and often appears in written news. 死闘 is highly dramatic and implies a fight to the death, so use it sparingly.
Yesterday's match was really a hard fight, wasn't it?
A fierce battle is expected in the election campaign.
He was known as a fierce warrior on the battlefield.
チームは辛勝した。
The team won a hard-fought victory.