Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of 'competing' in Japanese, including participating in contests, vying for something, and rivalry in business or personal contexts.
To take part in a structured event like a sports match, tournament, or contest.
Literally 'to appear in a match/game'. The most common way to say you are competing in a sports event or game.
明日、テニスの試合に出ます。
I'm competing in a tennis match tomorrow.
More formal, used for tournaments or large-scale competitions. '出場する' means to participate in an event.
彼は全国大会に出場した。
He competed in the national tournament.
A formal term for competing in athletic events. Often used in written or official contexts.
選手たちは真剣に競技した。
The athletes competed seriously.
To strive against others to win or achieve something, often with a sense of rivalry.
A versatile verb meaning 'to compete for'. Attach the object being competed for with を.
彼らは優勝を競っている。
They are competing for the championship.
多くの企業が市場シェアを競っている。
Many companies are competing for market share.
Similar to 競う, but often implies a more intense or direct struggle. Can be used for abstract things like power or rights.
彼らは権力を争っている。
They are competing for power.
General term for 'to compete', often used in business, sports, or any competitive situation.
私たちは価格で競争している。
We are competing on price.
To describe an ongoing competitive relationship, often in business, sports, or personal contexts.
Loanword from English, widely used for a rival in any context. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to be rivals'.
彼は私の最大のライバルだ。
He is my biggest rival.
あの2人はいつもライバルしている。
Those two are always competing with each other.
Used mainly in business contexts for competitors or competing products. Often appears as 競合他社 (competitor companies).
To compete or rival in a more personal, sometimes petty way. Can imply trying to outdo someone.
To vie for something intangible like love, recognition, or favor.
As above, but used for intangible things. 争う can be used for competing for affection, attention, etc.
兄弟は親の愛情を争っていた。
The siblings were competing for their parents' affection.
Literally 'to take mutually', meaning to scramble or compete for something, often with a sense of grabbing or fighting over it.
子どもたちはおもちゃを取り合っている。
The children are competing for the toy.
競う (kisou) is often used for friendly or sportsmanlike competition, while 争う (arasou) can imply a more serious struggle or conflict. 競争する (kyousou suru) is a general term for competing, often used in business or races.
Avoid directly translating 'competing' as a standalone word. In Japanese, you usually need to specify what you are competing in or for, using phrases like 試合に出る or 〜を競う.
競合他社の動向を分析する。
Analyze the moves of competing companies.
She always tries to compete with me.