Japanese word

勝つ

Pronunciation

Romajikatsu

Meaning

  • verbwin

Example

私は試合に勝ちます。watashi wa shi ai ni ka chi ma su

I win the game.

Illustration for 勝つ (win)

More examples

わたしはゲームに勝ちます。wa ta shi wa gē mu ni ka chi ma su

I win the game.

最後まであきらめなければ、勝てます。sai go ma de a ki ra me na ke re ba ka te ma su

If you do not give up until the end, you can win.

Core concept

Describes coming out ahead in a contest or struggle by defeating an opponent or meeting a challenge.

Common phrases

  • 試合に勝つshi ai ni ka tsu

    win a game

  • 相手に勝つai te ni ka tsu

    beat an opponent

Similar words

勝利するshōrisuru: To achieve victory in a contest, game, or struggle, often in formal language.

Definition in Japanese

競争や試合などで相手を上回り、勝利すること。kyō sō ya shi ai na do de ai te o uwa mawa ri shō ri su ru ko to

Word origin

勝つ (katsu) belongs to native Japanese vocabulary rather than Sino-Japanese vocabulary; 勝 (shō, "prevail") is the kanji used to record its meaning, while no firmer origin is certain.

Usage tips

  • The pattern 試合に勝つ (shiai ni katsu) shows that Japanese commonly marks the opponent or contest with に (ni), unlike English win, which usually takes the contest directly.

Other meanings

  • beatverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word