Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing a tie game depends on the sport or context. The most common word is 引き分け (hikiwake), but other terms like 同点 (dōten) and loanwords are also used.
試合は引き分けでした。
The game was a tie.
The most common way to say a game ended in a tie, used across many sports and competitions.
The standard noun for a tie or draw. Can be used with する to mean 'to tie'. Works for most sports and games.
試合は引き分けに終わった。
The game ended in a tie.
昨日のサッカーの試合は引き分けだった。
Yesterday's soccer game was a tie.
Literally 'same score'. Used when the scores are equal, often during the game or as a result. Can be used with で終わる (to end in a tie).
両チームとも同点で試合が終わった。
Both teams finished the game with the same score.
Loanword from English 'tie'. Common in sports contexts, especially in phrases like タイスコア (tie score) or タイゲーム (tie game).
試合はタイスコアで終了した。
The game ended with a tie score.
Specifically for board games where a draw is a possible outcome.
Also used for board games. The most general term.
将棋の対局は引き分けになった。
The shogi game ended in a draw.
A specific term in shogi for a draw by impasse (when both kings are in the promotion zone and neither can checkmate).
When a tie leads to an extra period or tiebreaker.
Loanword for tiebreaker. Used in tennis, volleyball, and other sports.
テニスの試合はタイブレークにもつれ込んだ。
The tennis match went into a tiebreaker.
Overtime or extra innings. Used when a game is tied after regulation and continues.
引き分け emphasizes the result (a draw), while 同点 focuses on the equal score. You can say 同点で引き分け (tied with the same score).
The verb 引き分ける (ひきわける) means 'to tie' or 'to end in a draw'. Example: 両チームは引き分けた (Both teams tied).
This shogi game ended in a draw by impasse.
Because of the tie, they went into overtime.