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.
Describing a battle, match, or contest that is fiercely contested and physically demanding.
A general, neutral phrase for a fierce fight or battle. Can be used for literal combat, sports, or metaphorical struggles.
両軍の間で激しい戦いが繰り広げられた。
A fierce battle unfolded between the two armies.
A noun meaning 'fierce battle' or 'hard-fought contest'. Often used in news or formal contexts.
その試合は激戦だった。
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.
彼らは死闘を繰り広げた。
They engaged in a desperate, life-or-death struggle.
Characterizing someone as a tenacious, aggressive fighter.
Describes a person's fighting style as intense or aggressive.
彼は戦い方が激しい選手だ。
He is a player who fights hard.
A noun for a fierce warrior or someone of great courage and fighting spirit. Somewhat literary.
彼は戦場の猛者として知られていた。
He was known as a fierce warrior on the battlefield.
Emphasizing that success required great struggle.
A victory after a hard fight. '苦戦' means 'hard fight' or 'uphill battle'.
苦戦の末の勝利に、観客は総立ちになった。
The crowd rose to their feet for the hard-fought victory.
A noun meaning 'narrow victory' or 'hard-won victory'. Often used in sports reporting.
チームは辛勝した。
The team won a hard-fought victory.
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.
昨日の試合は本当に激しい戦いだったね。
Yesterday's match was really a hard fight, wasn't it?
選挙戦は激戦が予想される。
A fierce battle is expected in the election campaign.