Japanese word

敗戦

Pronunciation

Romajihaisen

Meaning

  • nounlosing a war

Example

国民は敗戦の理由を学びました。koku min wa hai sen no ri yū o mana bi ma shi ta

The people learned the reasons for losing the war.

Illustration for 敗戦 (losing a war)

More examples

敗戦の記憶は、世代を超えて語り継がれています。hai sen no ki oku wa se dai o ko e te kata ri tsu ga re te i ma su

Memories of losing the war have been passed down from generation to generation.

Core concept

Describes the outcome of a war when one side is defeated rather than victorious.

Common phrases

  • 敗戦後hai sen ato

    after losing the war

  • 敗戦の原因hai sen no gen in

    cause of losing the war

  • 敗戦を認めるhai sen o mito me ru

    acknowledge defeat in war

Similar words

敗北haiboku: A loss in a contest, conflict, or struggle.

Definition in Japanese

戦争に負けること。sen sō ni ma ke ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 敗戦 (haisen) combines 敗 (hai, "defeat") and 戦 (sen, "war"), literally meaning defeat in war.

Usage tips

  • The word 敗戦 (haisen) often carries historical weight in Japanese because discussions of 1945 connect it with major changes in society and government.

Opposites

  • 戦勝senshōvictory in warnoun

Word lists with this word