Translation guide
Expresses the idea of a battle that was lost, a defeat in combat or struggle. Japanese uses nouns, verbs, and idiomatic phrases depending on whether you refer to the event, the act of losing, or a metaphorical loss.
Referring to a specific battle that ended in defeat.
A common noun phrase meaning 'a lost battle' or 'a losing battle'. Can be used literally or figuratively.
It was a completely lost battle.
Means 'defeat in war' or 'lost battle'. More formal and often used in historical or military contexts.
That lost battle changed the country's history.
Used to say 'it becomes a losing battle', often in figurative contexts.
At this rate, it'll be a lost battle.
Expressing the action of being defeated in a battle.
The most straightforward way to say 'lose a battle'. 戦い (battle/fight) + に負ける (lose).
They lost that battle.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be defeated'. Often used in news or formal writing.
General verb for 'lose'. Can be used alone if context makes 'battle' clear, but often paired with 戦い or 勝負.
Describing a struggle that is hopeless or futile.
Literally 'a battle with no chance of winning'. Common idiomatic expression for a losing battle.
It's a losing battle.
Means 'to be forced into a losing battle'. Emphasizes the inevitability of defeat.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'a battle you'll lose anyway'. Conveys resignation.
If it's a losing battle anyway, let's quit.
Using 'lost battle' figuratively for personal struggles.
Commonly used when someone dies after a long illness, equivalent to 'lost his battle with cancer' etc.
He passed away after a long battle with illness.
Literally 'succumb to illness'. Used when someone loses a fight against a disease.
He lost his battle with illness.
Directly translating 'lost battle' as 失われた戦い (ushinawareta tatakai) sounds unnatural. Use the expressions above instead.
軍は戦いで敗れた。
The army was defeated in battle.
あの戦いで完全に負けた。
We completely lost in that battle.
They were forced into a losing battle.