Japanese word

勝負

Pronunciation

Romajishōbu

Meaning

  • nounmatch

Example

次の勝負に勝ちたいです。tsugi no shō bu ni ka chi ta i de su

I want to win the next contest.

Illustration for 勝負 (match)

More examples

私は次の勝負で先に点を取ります。watashi wa tsugi no shō bu de saki ni ten o to ri ma su

I will score first in the next match.

Core concept

Describes a contest between opposing sides in which the outcome determines who wins and who loses.

Common phrases

  • 勝負に負けるshō bu ni ma ke ru

    lose the match

  • 勝負に勝つshō bu ni ka tsu

    win the match

  • 勝負がつくshō bu ga tsu ku

    the match is decided

  • 勝負するshō bu su ru

    compete

  • 勝負を決めるshō bu o ki me ru

    decide the match

Similar words

試合shiai: An organized game or contest in which participants compete to determine a winner.
対戦taisen: A contest in which two opponents or sides compete directly.
対決taiketsu: A direct contest between opponents to determine which one wins.

Definition in Japanese

二者または二つの側が、勝敗を決めるために競い合うこと。ni sha ma ta wa futa tsu no gawa ga shō hai o ki me ru ta me ni kiso i a u ko to

Word origin

勝負 (shōbu) combines 勝 (shō, "victory") and 負 (bu, "defeat"), two Sino-Japanese elements that describe the opposing outcomes of a contest.

Usage tips

  • 勝負する (shōbu suru) means to compete directly, and it is common in casual talk about games, sports, or challenges.

Related words

  • 勝負師shōbushicompetitive playernoun

Word lists with this word