負け
Meanings
General noun for losing a contest, game, battle, or competition. Antonym: 勝ち (かち).
Antonyms: 勝ち (かち)
Today's match was a loss.
It's frustrating to admit defeat.
failing to live up to
Suffix attached to nouns indicating that something does not match the quality or expectation implied by that noun. Common in compounds like 名前負け (being outshone by one's own name) or 看板負け (not living up to one's reputation).
See also: 名前負け (なまえまけ)
That restaurant doesn't live up to its reputation.
He is a capable person who lives up to his name.
discount; loss on a sale
Used in commercial contexts for selling at a reduced price or taking a loss. Often appears in phrases like 負けで売る or お負け (freebie, extra).
At this price, we'll take a loss.
Could you give me a little more discount?
Usage patterns
- 負けを認めるto admit defeat
He finally admitted defeat.
- 〈名詞〉負けするto fail to live up to (a name, title, or reputation)
The new recruit doesn't live up to his reputation.
- 負けで売るto sell at a loss; to sell at a discount
We decided to sell off the stock at a discount.
- 負けが込むto keep losing; to rack up losses
I've been losing a lot lately.
- 負けを取り返すto make up for a loss; to recoup a defeat
I want to make up for the loss in the next match.
Expressions· 9
- 当たり負けloss of momentum on impact; getting knocked aside
- 掛かり負けexpenses exceeding profits; operating at a loss
- 負けないくらいas much as possible; unbeatably; unsurpassably
- 負けないぐらいas much as possible; unbeatably; unsurpassably
- 負け投手になるto become the losing pitcher; to take the loss
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- 負けに不思議の負けなしthere are no mysterious losses; defeat always has a reason
- 勝って驕らず負けて腐らずin victory, remember your humility; in defeat, remember your fighting spirit
- 勝てば官軍、負ければ賊軍might is right; history is written by the victors