contest; comparison; competition
Used as a noun or suffix to indicate a contest or comparison, often in compound words like 食べ比べ (taste comparison) or 力比べ (strength contest).
At this shop, you can do a tasting comparison of various types of coffee.
We all had a contest to see whose was biggest.
二人は腕比べをすることにした。
The two decided to have a contest of skill.
競争 stresses rivalry and competing to win, whereas 比べ can be a light-hearted contest or simple comparison without strong rivalry.
compare; make a comparison · compete; measure oneself against
comparison; something worthy of comparison
comparing heights; height comparison
contest of strength; trial of strength
endurance contest; test of endurance
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency news and common usage.
Kana spelling is common and often preferred in everyday writing.
Alternate kanji form emphasizing competition; very rare.
Alternate kanji form, rarely used in modern writing.
Derived from the verb 比べる (to compare). The noun form 比べ is used in compounds to indicate a comparison or contest.
taste testing; comparing drinks; side-by-side tasting · drinking contest; drinking match
race; footrace; running competition