Japanese word

健闘

Pronunciation

Romajikentō

Meaning

  • nounput up a good fight

Example

彼は強い相手にも健闘しました。kare wa tsuyo i ai te ni mo ken tō shi ma shi ta

He put up a good fight against a strong opponent.

Illustration for 健闘 (put up a good fight)

More examples

選手たちの健闘に、観客から大きな拍手が送られました。sen shu ta chi no ken tō ni kan kyaku ka ra ō ki na haku shu ga oku ra re ma shi ta

The spectators gave the players a big round of applause for their valiant effort.

Core concept

Describes giving a strong, admirable performance against a difficult opponent or situation, often despite unfavorable odds.

Common phrases

  • 健闘するken tō su ru

    put up a good fight

  • 健闘をたたえるken tō o ta ta e ru

    praise a valiant effort

  • 健闘を祈るken tō o ino ru

    wish someone success

Similar words

善戦zensen: A strong performance against a powerful opponent, even in defeat.
奮闘funtō: Persistent effort against a difficult task, situation, or opponent.
奮戦funsen: A brave fight carried out with great effort and determination.

Definition in Japanese

不利な条件や強い相手に対して、力を尽くして立派に戦うこと。fu ri na jō ken ya tsuyo i ai te ni tai shi te chikara o tsu ku shi te rip pa ni tataka u ko to

Word origin

健 (ken, "strong") + 闘 (tō, "fight") forms the Sino-Japanese compound 健闘 (kentō), meaning a strong and worthy fight.

Usage tips

  • 健闘 (kentō) often praises a strong performance even when the person does not win, so it can sound warmer than simply saying someone lost.

Other meanings

  • valiant effortnoun

Related words

  • 健闘ぶりkentōburivaliant effortnoun

Word lists with this word