Translation guide
The desire to compete and win, often expressed through personality traits, attitudes, or situational phrases in Japanese.
Describing someone who has a strong desire to win or be better than others.
Describes a person who hates losing and is highly competitive by nature. Often used as a personality adjective.
彼女は負けず嫌いだ。
She has a competitive spirit.
負けず嫌いな性格なので、どんなゲームでも本気で勝ちに行く。
Because I have a competitive personality, I seriously try to win any game.
Literally 'competitive spirit is strong.' A more direct description of someone's competitive drive.
彼は競争心が強い。
He has a strong competitive spirit.
Fighting spirit or combative instinct. More intense and often used in sports or business contexts.
闘争心をむき出しにして試合に臨む。
He approaches the match with his competitive spirit bared.
Expressing that you are currently feeling competitive or fired up to win.
Literally 'I don't want to lose.' A natural way to express competitive spirit in a specific situation.
絶対に負けたくない！
I absolutely don't want to lose! (showing competitive spirit)
Simply 'I want to win.' Direct and clear, but less nuanced than 負けたくない.
どうしても勝ちたい。
I really want to win no matter what.
Fighting spirit wells up. Used when competitive feelings arise naturally.
ライバルを見ると闘志が湧いてくる。
When I see my rival, my competitive spirit wells up.
Telling someone to be more competitive or to not give up.
Don't lose! A common cheer to encourage fighting spirit.
負けるな！最後まで頑張れ！
Don't give up! Keep fighting until the end!
Burn your fighting spirit! Dramatic and often used in sports anime or motivational speeches.
闘志を燃やせ！お前ならできる！
Burn your fighting spirit! You can do it!
負けず嫌い is a personality trait (hates losing), while 競争心が強い is a more analytical description (strong competitive drive). 負けず嫌い is more colloquial and commonly used in daily conversation.
The direct translation '競争心' is understandable but sounds stiff. Use 負けず嫌い or 負けたくない for natural expression.