defeat, negative, -, minus, bear, owe, assume a responsibility
負 centers on carrying a weight or burden, which extends naturally to owing something, assuming responsibility, and the negative outcome of being weighed down in a contest: defeat. The minus sense is a modern mathematical application of the negative idea.
負 combines ⺈ (a person bending over) with 貝 (shell, money), suggesting a person carrying a load of money or goods, hence bearing a burden or debt.
A person ⺈ is bent under the weight of a heavy shell 貝, bearing a burden. This leads to owing a debt, taking responsibility, and the crushing feeling of defeat.
For フ, imagine the heavy shell is actually a huge, fluffy futon (ふとん) that you must carry: the first syllable フ of ふとん cues the reading, and you bear the weight.
defeat; loss; losing (a game)
burden; load; responsibility
victory or defeat
to carry on one's back; to bear; to shoulder
to lose; to be defeated; to be beaten
injury; wound
to carry on one's back
burdening; bearing; shouldering; imposing
negative; minus
debt; liabilities
contract (for work); contracting; undertaking
pride; self-confidence; thinking highly of oneself; being proud of one's abilities or achievements
to defeat
loser; failure; underdog; unsuccessful person; non-achiever; loser dog
victory or defeat; victory and defeat
being put to shame; being outshone; being eclipsed; feeling embarrassed
to contract (to do); to undertake; to take on (work)
aspiration; ambition; plan; hopes; wishes
(feeling of) indebtedness; feeling obliged
having more losses than wins
eagerness; enthusiasm; fervor; excitement; fighting spirit; fighting mood