Japanese word

競走

Pronunciation

Romajikyōsō

Meaning

  • nounrace

Example

運動場で競走しました。un dō jō de kyō sō shi ma shi ta

We had a race in the schoolyard.

Illustration for 競走 (race)

More examples

校庭で弟と競走しました。kō tei de otōto to kyō sō shi ma shi ta

I raced my younger brother in the schoolyard.

二人は最後まで競走を続けました。futa ri wa sai go ma de kyō sō o tsuzu ke ma shi ta

The two kept racing all the way to the finish.

Core concept

Describes people competing to see who can move fastest over a set course, especially by running.

Common phrases

  • 競走に勝つkyō sō ni ka tsu

    win a race

  • 競走をするkyō sō o su ru

    run a race

  • 競走に出るkyō sō ni de ru

    enter a race

  • 競走で一位になるkyō sō de ichi i ni na ru

    come in first in a race

Similar words

徒競走tokyōsō: A contest where runners try to reach the finish before the other participants.
競争kyōsō: A contest in which people try to gain the same goal or advantage.
かけっこkakekko: An informal contest to see who can run fastest.

Definition in Japanese

一定の距離を走って速さを競うこと。it tei no kyo ri o hashi tte haya sa o kiso u ko to

Word origin

競 (kyō, "compete") and 走 (sō, "run") combine to form a Sino-Japanese word for competing by running.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the broad English word race, 競走 (kyōsō) centers on competing by running, while cycling and swimming events usually use more specific terms.

Other meanings

  • dashnoun

Related words

  • 競走者kyōsōsharacernoun

Word lists with this word