敵
か
た
き
Meanings
1
Refers to a rival, opponent, or enemy, especially one with longstanding enmity. When used as a suffix, it is often pronounced がたき (e.g., 商売敵 しょうばいがたき 'business rival').
He is my business rival.
He is my longtime enemy.
2
Used in set phrases like 敵を討つ (かたきをうつ) 'to avenge someone' or 敵討ち (かたきうち) 'revenge'.
He set out on a journey to avenge his father.
3
archaic
Archaic usage meaning 'spouse'. Not used in modern Japanese.
In classical literature, 敵 can refer to a spouse.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉の敵を討つto avenge someone (by defeating the person who wronged them)
He kept training with the sword in order to avenge his father.
- 〈人〉を敵に回すto turn someone into an enemy
If you talk like that, you'll end up making everyone your enemy.
Expressions
- 目の敵object of hatred; someone viewed with hostility
- 目の敵にするhate the very sight of; hold a grudge against; treat as an enemy; have it in for
- 江戸の敵を長崎で討つto take revenge in an unexpected place or context; to hit someone where they least expect it