Translation guide
To control, have power over, or be the most important part of something. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you mean controlling people, being the best in a field, or standing out physically.
To have power and authority over others, often in a political or social context.
General term for dominating, ruling, or controlling. Can be used for countries, organizations, or people.
その国は隣国を支配していた。
That country dominated its neighbors.
He completely dominated the meeting.
To govern or rule, often in a formal, administrative sense. More about managing a state or territory.
国王がその地域を統治していた。
The king dominated (governed) the region.
To dominate or control from behind the scenes, often with a negative nuance of manipulation.
彼が組織を牛耳っている。
He dominates (pulls the strings of) the organization.
To be clearly superior to all others in a competition, industry, or activity.
To overwhelm or dominate by a large margin. Common in sports, business, and performance contexts.
彼のチームは試合を圧倒した。
His team dominated the game.
その企業は市場を圧倒している。
That company dominates the market.
To gain control or mastery over something, often used in competitive contexts like sports or debates.
To have the field all to oneself; to dominate a scene or event unchallenged.
彼女の独壇場となった。
She dominated the stage (it became her one-woman show).
To be the most prominent element in a situation, view, or composition.
To occupy or take up a large part of something, such as space, time, or attention.
その話題が会話の大半を占めた。
That topic dominated most of the conversation.
山が景色の大部分を占めている。
The mountain dominates the landscape.
To tower or rise high, dominating the skyline. Used for tall structures or natural features.
To stand out or be conspicuous. Less forceful than 'dominate', but natural for describing something that catches attention.
To control or heavily influence someone's feelings or actions.
Also used for emotional or psychological domination.
彼は怒りに支配されていた。
He was dominated by anger.
To dominate one's heart/mind; often used for emotions or obsessions.
恐怖が彼女の心を支配した。
Fear dominated her heart.
The loanword ドミネート is sometimes used in Japanese, but it is not common and can sound unnatural. Stick to the native verbs above.
彼はゲームをドミネートした。
He dominated the game. (unnatural)
支配する implies control or rule, often over a long period. 圧倒する emphasizes overwhelming superiority in a specific contest or comparison. Use 支配する for political/social domination and 圧倒する for winning by a large margin.
彼女が会話を支配した。
She dominated the conversation.
Natural when she controlled the flow. Alternatively, 会話の大半を占めた if she just talked the most.
そのチームは何年もリーグを圧倒してきた。
The team has dominated the league for years.
彼は試合を完全に制した。
He completely dominated the match.
高層ビルが街の景観にそびえている。
Skyscrapers dominate the cityscape.
The red color dominates the painting.