Japanese word

負かす

Pronunciation

Romajimakasu

Meaning

  • verbdefeat

Example

彼は将棋で兄を負かしました。kare wa shō gi de ani o ma ka shi ma shi ta

He defeated his brother at shogi.

Illustration for 負かす (defeat)

More examples

そのチームは決勝で昨年の王者を負かしました。so no chī mu wa kes shō de saku nen no ō ja o ma ka shi ma shi ta

The team defeated last year's champion in the final.

Core concept

Shows one side overcoming another so that the opponent ends up on the losing side.

Common phrases

  • 敵を負かすteki o ma ka su

    defeat an enemy

  • 相手を負かすai te o ma ka su

    defeat an opponent

  • 強敵を負かすkyō teki o ma ka su

    defeat a formidable opponent

Similar words

打ち負かすuchimakasu: To defeat an opponent decisively, often after a struggle.
敗るyaburu: To defeat an opponent in a contest or game.
退けるdokeru: To defeat an opponent and drive the opponent away from a position or goal.
倒すtaosu: To bring an opponent down and make the opponent lose.

Definition in Japanese

競技や勝負で相手に勝ち、相手を負けさせること。kyō gi ya shō bu de ai te ni ka chi ai te o ma ke sa se ru ko to

Word origin

The Japanese verb 負かす (makasu, "to defeat") is connected with 負ける (makeru, "to lose") and means making another person or team lose.

Usage tips

  • 負かす (makasu) takes the defeated opponent with を (o), while 負ける (makeru) uses に (ni) for the person who wins.

Opposites

Related words

  • 負かし方makashikataway of defeatingnoun

Word lists with this word