Translation guide
The English word "defeat" can be a noun or a verb. As a verb, it means to beat an opponent or overcome a challenge. As a noun, it means the act of losing or being beaten. Japanese expresses these ideas with different words and grammar patterns depending on transitivity, formality, and context.
Expressing the action of beating an opponent or enemy.
Transitive verb meaning 'to defeat', 'to beat', or 'to knock down'. Used for defeating opponents in games, battles, or sports. Can also mean to overthrow or kill.
敵を倒す。
Defeat the enemy.
彼はチャンピオンを倒した。
He defeated the champion.
Transitive verb meaning 'to defeat' or 'to beat'. Often used in sports or games. Slightly more colloquial than 倒す.
彼をテニスで負かした。
I beat him at tennis.
Compound verb meaning 'to defeat thoroughly' or 'to beat decisively'. Emphasizes a clear victory.
強敵を打ち負かす。
Defeat a powerful enemy.
Means 'to defeat' in the sense of breaking through or overcoming an opponent, often used in formal contexts like records or barriers.
相手の守りを破る。
Break through the opponent's defense.
Expressing the state of losing or being beaten.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to lose' or 'to be defeated'. The most common word for losing in games, sports, or battles.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be defeated' or 'to be beaten'. More formal and often used in written language or news reports.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to fall' or 'to be defeated'. Often used for being overthrown or collapsing.
Referring to the event or state of losing.
Noun meaning 'defeat' or 'loss'. Used in formal or serious contexts like war, sports, or politics.
敗北を認める。
Admit defeat.
Noun form of 負ける, meaning 'loss' or 'defeat'. Common in casual speech and compounds like 負け犬 (loser).
今日は負けが込んでいる。
I've been having a lot of losses today.
Noun meaning 'defeat in war' or 'lost battle'. Specifically refers to military defeat.
Expressing overcoming difficulties, obstacles, or abstract challenges.
Suru-verb meaning 'to overcome' or 'to conquer'. Used for difficulties, fears, weaknesses, etc.
困難を克服する。
Overcome difficulties.
Verb meaning 'to overcome' or 'to defeat' (difficulties, temptations). Emphasizes winning against something.
誘惑に打ち勝つ。
Overcome temptation.
Both mean 'to defeat', but 倒す is more general and can imply physical defeat or overthrow, while 負かす is specifically about beating someone in a contest or game. 倒す can also mean 'to kill' in some contexts.
Be careful with transitive/intransitive pairs: 倒す (defeat someone) vs 倒れる (be defeated/fall); 負かす (defeat someone) vs 負ける (lose/be defeated). Using the wrong one changes who is doing the action.
彼らは敵軍を打ち破った。
They defeated the enemy army.
彼女は敗北を認めた。
She admitted defeat.
この危機を克服しなければならない。
We must overcome this crisis.
チームは決勝で敗れた。
The team was defeated in the finals.
独裁者が倒れた。
The dictator was defeated/overthrown.
敗戦国
Defeated nation