Translation guide
To persuade someone to support or like you, often through charm, effort, or argument.
Convincing a person or group to agree with you, join your side, or become favorable.
Literally 'make into an ally'. A natural way to say you won someone over to your side.
彼を味方につけることができた。
I was able to win him over.
To persuade through reasoning. Often used when winning someone over with logical arguments.
彼女を説得して、私たちの計画に賛成してもらった。
I won her over and got her to agree to our plan.
Literally 'grab someone's heart'. Emphasizes winning someone over emotionally or through charm.
彼のスピーチは聴衆の心をつかんだ。
His speech won over the audience.
To bring someone into one's camp, sometimes with a nuance of manipulation or strategic inclusion.
Making someone like you, often in a personal or social context.
To be liked or favored by someone. Passive form of 気に入る.
彼は彼女の両親に気に入られようと頑張った。
He tried hard to win over her parents.
味方につける focuses on making someone an ally, often through building a relationship. 説得する emphasizes logical persuasion. Use 味方につける when the goal is support, and 説得する when you need to change someone's mind through reasoning.
彼を味方につけるには時間がかかった。
It took time to win him over to our side.
彼を説得するのは難しかった。
It was difficult to persuade him.
Do not translate 'win over' literally as 勝つ (to win) + 上に (over). This makes no sense in Japanese. Use the phrases provided.
まだ決めていない有権者を味方につける必要がある。
We need to win over the undecided voters.
彼女はユーモアで観客の心をつかんだ。
She won over the crowd with her humor.
彼はライバル会社の社員を取り込もうとしている。
He is trying to win over employees from the rival company.
To gain someone's favor or goodwill. Slightly formal.
彼は誠実な態度で上司の好意を得た。
He won over his boss with his sincere attitude.
To charm or captivate. Stronger than just being liked; implies fascination.
彼女の歌声は観客を魅了した。
Her singing voice won over the audience.