Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

宿敵 (しゅくてき) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

宿しゅく敵てき

しゅ

く

て

き

Common word›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

old enemy; arch-enemy; traditional rival

Refers to a long-standing opponent or rival, often in sports, politics, or historical conflicts. Carries a dramatic or literary tone.

両りょうチームは宿しゅく敵てき同どう士しで、毎まい回かい激はげしい試し合あいになる。

The two teams are traditional rivals, and every match is intense.

彼かれは宿しゅく敵てきを倒たおすために長なが年ねん努ど力りょくしてきた。

He has worked for years to defeat his arch-enemy.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉と宿しゅく敵てきになるto become someone's archenemy
二人ふたりの選せん手しゅはいつしか宿しゅく敵てきになった。
The two athletes gradually became archenemies.
宿しゅく敵てきと対たい決けつするto face off against one's archenemy
決けっ勝しょう戦せんで宿しゅく敵てきと対たい決けつすることになった。
He ended up facing his archenemy in the final match.
宿しゅく敵てきを倒たおすto defeat one's archenemy
彼かれはついに宿しゅく敵てきを倒たおした。
He finally defeated his archenemy.

Kanji

宿inn, lodging, relay station
敵enemy, foe, opponent

Related words

敵てきN2
敵 is a general word for 'enemy' or 'opponent', while 宿敵 specifically implies a long-standing, often historic rivalry.
ライバルN3
ライバル is a casual, modern term for a rival used in everyday contexts, whereas 宿敵 carries a heavier, more dramatic nuance of enmity.
好こう敵てき手しゅ
好敵手 focuses on being a worthy, well-matched opponent, while 宿敵 emphasizes a bitter rivalry that has lasted a long time.
仇きゅう敵てき
仇敵 stresses deep personal hatred toward an enemy, while 宿敵 stresses the long, ongoing history of the rivalry.

Opposites

味み方かたN3
味方 means 'ally' or 'friend', the direct opposite of 宿敵, one's long-standing enemy.

Etymology

Compound of 宿 (しゅく, 'long-standing') and 敵 (てき, 'enemy'). The kanji 宿 carries the sense of 'lodging' or 'long-held', indicating an enmity that has persisted over time.