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天下分け目 (てんかわけめ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
decisive moment ; fateful turning point ; climactic battle
Used for a pivotal event, especially a battle or contest that determines the course of history or a major outcome. Often carries a dramatic, historical tone.
は
チーム
に
とっ
て
天てん
下か
分わ
け
目め
の
一いっ
戦せん
だ
。
This match is a make-or-break game for the team.
Kanji 分 part, minute of time, segment Similar words 天てん 下か 分わ け 目め の 戦たたか い A common fixed phrase meaning 'the decisive battle'; 天下分け目 alone is less common and more abstract.
天てん 王のう 山ざん Also means a decisive moment or turning point, but originally refers to a specific mountain and battle; 天下分け目 is more directly about a fateful division.
Etymology Compound of 天下 (tenka, 'the whole country, the world') + 分け目 (wakeme, 'dividing point, turning point'). The phrase originates from the idea of a battle that decides who will rule the realm.
