Japanese word

戦う

Pronunciation

Romajitatakau

Meaning

  • verbfight

Example

私は相手と戦います。watashi wa ai te to tataka i ma su

I fight my opponent.

Illustration for 戦う (fight)

More examples

私はチームのために戦います。watashi wa chī mu no ta me ni tataka i ma su

I fight for my team.

Core concept

Expresses the act of striving against another side for victory or a desired result.

Common phrases

  • 最後まで戦うsai go ma de tataka u

    fight to the end

  • 相手と戦うai te to tataka u

    fight an opponent

Similar words

競うkisou: To try to do better than another person or side in a contest.
争うarasou: To contend with another person or side for victory or a desired result.
対戦するtaisensuru: To take part in a match against an opposing person or team.

Definition in Japanese

相手に立ち向かい、力や技を競って勝敗を決めようとする。ai te ni ta chi mu ka i chikara ya waza o kiso tte shō hai o ki me yō to su ru

Word origin

戦う (tatakau) is a native Japanese verb, and 戦い (tatakai, "contest or battle") is the related noun formed from its verb stem.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate fight with physical conflict, but 戦う (tatakau) is also a normal word for competing in a game or match.

Other meanings

  • competeverb

Opposites

  • 降参するkōsansurusurrenderverb

Related words

Word lists with this word