Translation guide
A competition with a series of games or matches, often leading to a final winner. Japanese has several words depending on the type of competition, scale, and format.
A structured competition where individuals or teams compete in a series of matches, common in sports, martial arts, and games.
The most common and general word for a tournament or large competition. Used for sports, games, and various contests.
来月、テニスの大会があります。
There's a tennis tournament next month.
彼は将棋の大会で優勝した。
He won the shogi tournament.
Loanword from English, specifically refers to a knockout-style tournament bracket. Often used in sports and esports.
このトーナメントはシングルエリミネーション方式です。
This tournament is single-elimination format.
Championship tournament, often used for official or prestigious competitions determining a champion.
世界選手権に出場する。
I will participate in the world championship tournament.
A competition specifically for martial arts like judo, kendo, karate, or sumo.
Still the most common word, but often combined with the martial art name.
柔道の大会に出る。
I'm entering a judo tournament.
Specifically refers to a sumo tournament. There are six official tournaments per year.
来場所は大阪で行われます。
The next tournament will be held in Osaka.
A competition in video games or esports.
Commonly used for gaming tournaments as well.
オンラインゲームの大会に参加した。
I participated in an online game tournament.
A tournament held at a school or local community level.
Works for any scale, from local to national.
学校のバスケットボール大会で優勝した。
We won the school basketball tournament.
More formal, often used for athletic meets or specific skill competitions.
大会 is the broadest term for any competition or tournament. トーナメント specifically implies a knockout bracket format. Use 大会 unless you want to emphasize the bracket structure.
While understood, トーナメント is not as common as 大会 for general tournaments. It can sound like a direct translation from English if used inappropriately.
Often used for bracket-style esports competitions.
eスポーツのトーナメントを観戦する。
I'm watching an esports tournament.
水泳の競技会が来週あります。
There's a swimming tournament next week.