noun
losers (of society); those on the losing side
Refers to people who are unsuccessful in life, often in contrast to 勝ち組 (winners). Used in discussions of social or economic success.
Antonyms: 勝ち組
彼は自分を負け組だと思っている。
He thinks of himself as a loser in life.
この不況で負け組になる人が増えている。
More people are ending up on the losing side because of this recession.
Antonym; refers to the winners or successful people in society.
Compound of 負け (make, 'losing') + 組 (gumi, 'group'). The term gained popularity in the early 2000s as a counterpart to 勝ち組 (kachigumi) in discussions of social winners and losers.