Translation guide
Describes a victory that is so decisive and complete that the opponent had no real chance. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific compound nouns, adjectives, and idiomatic phrases that emphasize the one-sided nature of the win.
To describe a victory that is complete and leaves no doubt about the winner, often in sports, competitions, or battles.
A noun meaning 'overwhelming victory' or 'landslide win'. Commonly used in sports, elections, and games. Can be used as a suru-verb (圧勝する).
Our team won an overwhelming victory.
They achieved a landslide victory in the election.
A noun meaning 'big win' or 'great victory'. Slightly less intense than 圧勝 but still indicates a decisive win. Often used in sports.
We won a big victory in last night's game.
A noun meaning 'complete victory' or 'perfect win', emphasizing that the opponent was thoroughly beaten without any chance. Often used in sports and martial arts.
He defended his title with a complete victory.
To emphasize the extreme one-sidedness of a victory, often with a nuance of domination or humiliation of the opponent.
Literally 'one-sided victory'. A very common and natural way to say 'overwhelming victory' in everyday conversation and writing.
The game ended in a one-sided victory.
Literally 'overwhelming victory'. Uses the adjective 圧倒的 (overwhelming). Very close to the English phrase and suitable for formal or emphatic contexts.
Literally 'pulverization'. Used metaphorically for a crushing defeat. Often seen in headlines or dramatic descriptions. Can be used as a suru-verb (粉砕する).
Specifically for electoral contexts where one candidate or party wins by a huge margin.
圧勝 implies an overwhelming, crushing win. 大勝 simply means a big win (by a large margin). 完勝 emphasizes a perfect, flawless victory where the opponent was completely outclassed. In many contexts they are interchangeable, but 圧勝 is the most direct equivalent to 'overwhelming victory'.
Many phrases combine an adjective or noun with 勝利 (しょうり, victory). For example, 一方的な勝利 (one-sided victory), 圧倒的な勝利 (overwhelming victory), 決定的な勝利 (decisive victory). These are very natural and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese.
They achieved an overwhelming victory.
敵を粉砕した。
We crushed the enemy (won an overwhelming victory).
大統領選で圧勝した。
He won an overwhelming victory in the presidential election.