Translation guide
Expresses the outcome of a contest, battle, or struggle, focusing on the binary result of winning or losing. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the compound noun 勝敗 (shōhai) or the phrase 勝つか負けるか (katsu ka makeru ka). The concept is often used in contexts like sports, games, war, and competitive situations.
Referring to the result of a competition, game, or battle as either a win or a loss.
The most direct and common noun meaning 'victory or defeat' or 'the outcome (win/loss)'. Used in formal and neutral contexts.
Referring to the outcome of a battle or war, often with a more dramatic or literary tone.
勝敗 (shōhai) is more formal and often used in written or serious contexts, while 勝ち負け (kachimake) is casual and common in everyday speech. 勝敗 is the standard term for 'victory or defeat' as a concept.
While 勝負 (shōbu) primarily means 'match' or 'contest', it is often used in phrases like 勝負がつく (the match is decided) to imply the result of victory or defeat. It can be a natural alternative when the focus is on the competitive event itself.
勝敗は最後までわからなかった。
The outcome was uncertain until the very end.
勝敗を決する一戦。
A decisive battle that determines victory or defeat.
A more colloquial phrase meaning 'win or lose', often used to emphasize the binary nature of a contest.
勝つか負けるか、やってみなければわからない。
You won't know if you win or lose until you try.
Means 'match', 'contest', or 'game', but often implies the outcome of victory or defeat. Commonly used in contexts like '勝負がつく' (the match is decided).
これで勝負がついた。
This decided the match (victory or defeat).
A more casual noun meaning 'winning and losing', often used in everyday conversation about games or sports.
勝ち負けにこだわる。
To be particular about winning and losing.
Also used in military or historical contexts, as in 'the outcome of a battle'.
戦いの勝敗は兵士の士気にかかっている。
The outcome of the battle depends on the soldiers' morale.
Literary term meaning 'male and female', used metaphorically for 'victory or defeat' in a decisive contest. Often in the phrase '雌雄を決する'.
両軍は雌雄を決するために激突した。
The two armies clashed to decide victory or defeat.