Translation guide
The English word "competition" covers several distinct concepts: a contest or event, the act of competing, one's rivals, and the abstract notion of competitiveness. Japanese uses different words for each, and the best choice depends on whether you mean a formal match, a business rivalry, or a competitive spirit.
Refers to an organized event where people try to win, such as a sports match, a tournament, a contest, or a competition.
The most common word for a competition or tournament, especially in sports. It implies a large, organized event.
来月、テニスの大会があります。
There's a tennis competition next month.
彼は水泳大会で優勝した。
He won the swimming competition.
Used for competitions based on skill or talent, like singing, beauty, or essay contests. Often implies a prize.
彼女は料理コンテストで優勝した。
She won the cooking competition.
Similar to コンテスト, but often used for artistic or academic competitions, like music, art, or speech contests.
ピアノコンクールに出場する。
I will participate in a piano competition.
Refers to a match or game, especially in sports. It emphasizes the actual contest between opponents rather than the event as a whole.
明日、サッカーの試合がある。
There's a soccer competition tomorrow.
A formal term for an athletic meet or competition. Often used in official contexts.
陸上競技会が開催された。
A track and field competition was held.
Refers to the ongoing process of trying to beat others, such as in business, sports, or personal achievement.
The most general word for competition as a struggle or rivalry. It can be used for business, sports, or any situation where people vie for the same goal.
この業界は競争が激しい。
Competition is fierce in this industry.
彼らは価格競争をしている。
They are engaged in price competition.
Implies opposition or rivalry, often with a sense of standing up against someone. Used in phrases like 対抗意識 (rivalry consciousness).
A noun form of the verb 競い合う (to compete with each other). Emphasizes mutual striving.
選手たちの競い合いが見事だった。
The competition among the athletes was splendid.
Refers to the people or companies you are competing against, i.e., "the competition."
A common term for a business competitor or rival. Literally "competing opponent."
競合相手の動向を調査する。
We research the competition's moves.
A loanword from English, used for a personal rival in sports, business, or love. Carries a slightly dramatic or emotional nuance.
彼は私の最大のライバルだ。
He is my biggest competition.
Literally "other companies," used specifically in business contexts to refer to competitors.
他社との競争に勝つ。
Win against the competition (other companies).
Refers to the abstract quality of being competitive, or the desire to compete and win.
The spirit of competition; the desire to compete and win. Often used when talking about someone's personality.
彼は競争心が強い。
He has a strong competitive spirit.
A fighting spirit or competitive drive, often used in sports contexts. Stronger and more aggressive than 競争心.
闘争心をむき出しにして試合に臨む。
He faces the competition with his fighting spirit on full display.
大会 is a large-scale event or tournament (e.g., Olympics, national championship). 試合 is a single match or game. コンテスト is a contest based on skill or talent, often with judges. Use 大会 for the overall competition, 試合 for a specific game within it, and コンテスト for talent-based events.
コンペ (from "competition") is used almost exclusively for design or architectural competitions (e.g., 設計コンペ). It is not a general term for competition.
While コンペティション exists as a loanword, it is less common than 競争 and often sounds stiff or technical. Stick with 競争 for most cases of rivalry.
スマートフォン市場の競争は激しい。
Competition in the smartphone market is intense.
彼女はスピーチコンテストに出場した。
She entered a speech competition.
私は競争を楽しんでいる。
I enjoy the competition.
彼はライバルに対抗意識を燃やしている。
He has a strong sense of competition toward his rival.
A more general term for a competitor, similar to 競合相手 but used in broader contexts beyond business.
競争相手に勝つために努力する。
I work hard to beat the competition.
Describes a person who hates losing and is therefore very competitive. It's a common, colloquial term.
彼女は負けず嫌いだから、いつも一番を目指す。
She's very competitive, so she always aims to be number one.