敗北 in 30 Seconds
- 敗北 (haiboku) is a formal Japanese word meaning 'defeat' or 'loss.'
- It is more serious than the casual 'make' and is used in news and history.
- It can be a noun or a verb (敗北する) meaning 'to be defeated.'
- Historically, it refers to turning one's back and fleeing from a battlefield.
The word 敗北 (haiboku) is a formal Japanese noun that translates to 'defeat' or 'loss.' While the more common word for losing is 負け (make), 敗北 carries a much heavier, more decisive, and formal weight. It is not just about losing a quick game of rock-paper-scissors; it is about the significant failure to overcome an opponent in a structured environment like a war, a major sporting championship, a political election, or a profound personal struggle. In the Japanese psyche, 敗北 often implies a public acknowledgment of being bested by an obstacle or an adversary.
- Register and Nuance
- 敗北 is highly formal. You will see it in newspaper headlines, historical texts, and news broadcasts. In daily conversation, people usually use 'make' (負け), but they might switch to 'haiboku' when they want to sound serious or literary. It suggests a complete and undeniable loss.
彼は自らの敗北を認めた。(He admitted his own defeat.)
The etymology of the word is fascinating. The first kanji, 敗 (hai), means to fail or be defeated. The second kanji, 北 (hoku), usually means 'north.' However, in this context, it represents 'turning one's back.' Historically, in ancient warfare, the losing side would turn their backs to the enemy and flee. Thus, 'haiboku' literally paints a picture of failing and turning away to run from the battlefield. This historical imagery adds a layer of 'retreat' and 'shame' that is still subtly felt in modern usage.
- Common Collocations
- 敗北を喫する (haiboku o kissuru) - to suffer a defeat; 敗北を認める (haiboku o mitomeru) - to admit defeat; 惨めな敗北 (mijime na haiboku) - a miserable defeat.
チームは決勝戦で敗北した。(The team suffered defeat in the final match.)
In modern Japanese media, particularly in anime and manga, 敗北 is often used to describe the 'ultimate loss' of a villain or a hero's 'crushing defeat' that leads to their growth. It is a word that signals a turning point. When a politician stands before cameras after an election and says '敗北を認めます,' it carries the weight of a concluded chapter. Understanding this word helps learners differentiate between the 'losing' of a child's game and the 'defeat' of a historical figure.
- Syntactic Usage
- 敗北 can be used as a noun or combined with the verb 'suru' (敗北する) to mean 'to be defeated.' Note that it is usually the subject who 'does' the defeat (receives it), unlike the English 'to defeat someone' which uses a different word (打ち負かす).
完全な敗北から立ち上がる。(To rise up from a complete defeat.)
選挙での敗北は予想外だった。(The defeat in the election was unexpected.)
Using 敗北 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical versatility as both a noun and a suru-verb. When used as a noun, it often acts as the direct object of verbs like 'mitomeru' (admit), 'kissuru' (suffer/taste), or 'shiru' (know/experience). For example, '敗北を喫する' (haiboku o kissuru) is a set phrase meaning to suffer a bitter defeat, often used in sports journalism to describe a team's loss.
- As a Noun
- Sentence structure: [Noun] + の + 敗北 (The defeat of [Noun]). Example: チームの敗北 (The team's defeat).
歴史的な敗北を振り返る。(Looking back at a historical defeat.)
When used as a verb, '敗北する' (haiboku suru) means 'to be defeated' or 'to lose.' It is intransitive in Japanese logic, meaning the person or group experiencing the loss is the subject. You do not '敗北' someone else; rather, you '敗北' against someone else. To say you defeated someone, you would use '打ち負かす' (uchimakasu) or '勝利する' (shōri suru - to be victorious). This is a crucial distinction for English speakers who are used to 'defeat' being a transitive verb.
- As a Verb
- Sentence structure: [Subject] + は + [Opponent] + に + 敗北した。 (Subject was defeated by Opponent.)
我々は強敵に敗北した。(We were defeated by a powerful enemy.)
In more complex sentences, 敗北 can be modified by adjectives to describe the nature of the loss. '惨敗' (zanpai) is a related word for a 'crushing defeat,' but you can also say '惨めな敗北' (mijime na haiboku - miserable defeat) or '惜しい敗北' (oshii haiboku - a regrettable/close defeat). This allows for a high degree of emotional expression in formal settings.
- Abstract Usage
- 敗北 isn't just for physical battles. It can describe losing to one's own weaknesses or desires. Example: 誘惑に敗北する (To be defeated by temptation).
自分自身の弱さに敗北してはいけない。(You must not be defeated by your own weakness.)
敗北の味は苦い。(The taste of defeat is bitter.)
The word 敗北 is ubiquitous in specific domains of Japanese life. If you turn on the evening news or open a Japanese newspaper, you are almost guaranteed to encounter it in the context of politics or international relations. When a political party loses seats in the Diet, the media will analyze the '敗北の理由' (reason for the defeat). This formal context emphasizes the gravity of the loss for the nation or the party's future.
- In Sports Media
- Sports commentators use 敗北 to describe major losses in tournaments like the Koshien (high school baseball) or the World Cup. It sounds more dramatic and professional than simply saying 'maketa.'
日本代表はブラジルに敗北しました。(The Japanese national team was defeated by Brazil.)
Another common arena for this word is historical documentaries and textbooks. Discussions about the Sengoku period (Warring States period) or World War II are filled with references to 'haiboku.' In these contexts, it describes the fall of clans, the end of eras, and the shifting of power. The word '敗戦' (haisen) is also used specifically for losing a war, but 'haiboku' is the general term for the defeat itself.
- Business and Strategy
- In the corporate world, 敗北 describes losing a major contract or a market share battle to a competitor. It implies a strategic failure rather than just bad luck.
市場競争での敗北を認める。(Admitting defeat in market competition.)
Finally, you will hear it in philosophical or psychological discussions. Japanese culture places a significant emphasis on how one handles defeat. The phrase '敗北の美学' (haiboku no bigaku - the aesthetics of defeat) refers to the beauty or nobility found in losing with dignity. This concept is deeply rooted in samurai culture and is a recurring theme in Japanese literature and film, where the 'noble loser' is often more respected than the 'unfair winner.'
- Educational Context
- Teachers might use the word to encourage students, saying that 'haiboku' is a stepping stone to future 'shōri' (victory).
敗北は成功の母である。(Defeat is the mother of success.)
彼は敗北を知らない。(He knows no defeat / He is undefeated.)
The most common mistake English speakers make with 敗北 is using it in overly casual situations. Because English uses the word 'defeat' or 'lose' quite broadly, learners often translate 'I lost the game' (like a casual board game) as '敗北した.' While grammatically correct, it sounds extremely dramatic—like you are declaring the end of your kingdom. For casual losses, always stick to '負けた' (maketa).
- Mistake: Over-Drama
- Saying 'じゃんけんで敗北した' (I was defeated in rock-paper-scissors) sounds like a line from a parody anime. Use '負けた' instead.
× 昨日のトランプで敗北した。 (Too formal)
○ 昨日のトランプで負けた。 (Natural)
Another frequent error is the direction of the action. In English, 'defeat' is often transitive: 'I defeated him.' In Japanese, '敗北' is primarily used for the person who *loses*. If you want to say you defeated someone using a formal word, you should use '勝利した' (shōri shita - was victorious) or '打ち負かした' (uchimakashita - beat them down). If you say '私は彼を敗北した,' it is grammatically incorrect. You must say '私は彼に敗北した' (I was defeated *by* him).
- Confusion with 'Shippai'
- Learners often confuse '敗北' (defeat by an opponent) with '失敗' (shippai - failure in a task). If you fail an exam, you '失敗' or '落ちる' (ochiru), you don't '敗北' unless you view the exam as a sentient enemy you are battling.
× 試験に敗北した。 (Strange nuance)
○ 試験に失敗した / 落ちた。 (Correct)
Lastly, watch out for the kanji. The second character 北 (north) is often misread as 比 (compare) or other similar-looking radicals. While 'north' seems unrelated to 'defeat,' remembering the story of 'turning one's back to the enemy and fleeing north' can help you keep the characters straight. Also, ensure you don't confuse '敗北' with '敗戦' (haisen). 'Haisen' is specifically for losing a war (like WWII), whereas 'haiboku' is the general noun for any major defeat.
- Pronunciation Pitfall
- The 'hoku' in haiboku is a short 'u'. Don't elongate it to 'haibōku' or you will sound like you are saying 'discarded wood' (廃木).
彼は敗北の責任を取った。(He took responsibility for the defeat.)
To truly master 敗北, you must see how it sits in the ecosystem of Japanese words for 'losing.' The most common synonym is 負け (make). While 'make' is the general term for any loss, 'haiboku' is its formal, literary cousin. Think of 'make' as 'losing' and 'haiboku' as 'suffering a defeat.'
- 敗北 vs. 負け (Make)
- 'Make' is used for games, arguments, and casual sports. 'Haiboku' is used for elections, wars, and major championships. You 'make' a bet, but a nation 'haiboku' in a war.
試合に負ける (To lose a match) vs. 決勝で敗北する (To be defeated in the finals).
Another important word is 惨敗 (zanpai). This literally means 'miserable defeat' or a 'crushing loss.' Use this when the score was 10-0 or when the loss was particularly embarrassing. It is even more intense than 'haiboku.' On the other hand, 惜敗 (sekihai) means a 'narrow defeat' or 'regrettable loss'—where you almost won but just barely missed the mark.
- Other Variants
- 敗退 (haitai) - To be eliminated from a tournament; 敗戦 (haisen) - Losing a war; 完敗 (kanpai) - Total defeat (don't confuse with 'kanpai' for 'cheers'!).
一回戦で敗退した。(Eliminated in the first round.)
If you are looking for more metaphorical ways to express defeat, consider 屈服 (kuppuku), which means 'to yield' or 'to surrender' to someone's power. While 'haiboku' is the result (you lost), 'kuppuku' describes the act of giving in. Similarly, 降伏 (kōfuku) is the formal word for 'surrender,' often used in military contexts where a white flag is involved.
- Opposites
- 勝利 (shōri) - Victory; 勝ち (kachi) - Win; 優勝 (yūshō) - Championship win.
敗北の反対は勝利です。(The opposite of defeat is victory.)
Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the exact level of intensity and formality required. In a business report, 'haiboku' or 'zanpai' might be used to reflect on a failed strategy. In a casual chat with friends about a video game, 'make' or 'kanpai' would be much more natural. By expanding your vocabulary beyond just 'make,' you gain the ability to describe the 'texture' of a loss—whether it was close, crushing, or historical.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
Ever wonder why 'north' is in 'defeat'? In ancient Chinese battles, the emperor always faced south. If a general lost and turned to run away, he was literally running toward the 'north' (behind the emperor). Thus, 'north' became synonymous with retreating in shame.
Pronunciation Guide
- Elongating the 'o' to 'bō' (sounds like 'wood').
- Pronouncing 'hai' like 'hay'.
- Making the 'u' at the end too strong; it should be very subtle.
- Confusing the pitch with 'haiku' (the poem).
- Swapping the sounds to 'haboku'.
Difficulty Rating
The kanji are N2 level, but the word is very common in media.
The kanji 敗 is slightly complex to write correctly.
Easy to pronounce, but requires care with the register.
Distinct sound, but can be confused with 'haiboku' (discarded wood) if mispronounced.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Suru-verbs
敗北する (To be defeated)
Particle 'ni' for agents of passive-like actions
敵に敗北する (Be defeated by the enemy)
Noun modification with 'no'
私の敗北 (My defeat)
Te-form for cause
敗北して、悲しくなった (I became sad because I was defeated)
Compound nouns with 'kan'
敗北感 (Sense of defeat)
Examples by Level
これは敗北です。
This is a defeat.
Simple noun + desu.
敗北は悲しい。
Defeat is sad.
Noun as a subject.
ゲームで敗北した。
I was defeated in the game.
Using suru-verb in past tense.
敗北を知る。
To know defeat.
Noun + particle 'o' + verb.
完全な敗北。
A complete defeat.
Adjective-like noun modifying another noun.
敗北を認める。
To admit defeat.
Common verb collocation.
初めての敗北。
The first defeat.
Noun phrase.
敗北したくない。
I don't want to be defeated.
Suru-verb in negative 'tai' form.
彼はライバルに敗北した。
He was defeated by his rival.
Particle 'ni' indicates the opponent.
チームの敗北が決まった。
The team's defeat was decided.
Noun + particle 'no' + Noun.
敗北を恐れてはいけない。
You must not fear defeat.
Te-form + wa ikenai (prohibition).
惨めな敗北だった。
It was a miserable defeat.
Adjective modifying the noun.
敗北から学びましょう。
Let's learn from defeat.
Particle 'kara' (from) + mashō (let's).
選挙で敗北した。
He lost in the election.
Contextual usage in politics.
敗北の味は苦い。
The taste of defeat is bitter.
Metaphorical usage.
昨日の試合は敗北に終わった。
Yesterday's match ended in defeat.
Ni owaru (to end in).
彼は潔く敗北を認めた。
He gracefully admitted defeat.
Adverb 'kiyoku' (gracefully/manly).
連勝の後の敗北はショックだった。
The defeat after a winning streak was a shock.
Compound sentence structure.
政府は経済政策の敗北を認めたくない。
The government does not want to admit the defeat of its economic policy.
Abstract usage for policy failure.
敗北を喫したが、次への希望はある。
We suffered a defeat, but there is hope for the next one.
Formal verb 'kissuru' (to suffer/taste).
彼は自分自身の誘惑に敗北した。
He was defeated by his own temptations.
Internal/psychological usage.
この敗北が彼を強くした。
This defeat made him stronger.
Causative-like meaning with 'shita'.
圧倒的な力の差で敗北した。
We were defeated by an overwhelming difference in power.
Describing the reason for defeat.
敗北の影がチームに忍び寄る。
The shadow of defeat creeps up on the team.
Literary/dramatic expression.
その将軍は戦略のミスにより敗北を招いた。
The general brought about defeat due to a strategic error.
Haitai o maneku (to bring about/invite defeat).
歴史的な大敗北を喫した王国の物語。
The story of a kingdom that suffered a historical great defeat.
Using 'dai-' prefix for emphasis.
敗北の責任を誰が取るべきか議論された。
It was debated who should take responsibility for the defeat.
Passive voice 'giron sareta'.
彼は一度の敗北で全てを失ったわけではない。
It's not that he lost everything with a single defeat.
Negative explanatory 'wake dewa nai'.
市場での敗北は、革新の遅れが原因だ。
The defeat in the market is caused by a delay in innovation.
Logical cause-effect structure.
敗北を乗り越えて、彼は再び立ち上がった。
Overcoming defeat, he stood up once again.
Te-form for successive actions.
精神的な敗北は、肉体的な敗北より重い。
Spiritual defeat is heavier than physical defeat.
Comparative structure using 'yori'.
彼らは敗北の色を隠せなかった。
They couldn't hide the look of defeat.
Idiomatic 'haiboku no iro' (look of defeat).
その政権の敗北は、国民の不満が臨界点に達した結果であった。
The administration's defeat was the result of public dissatisfaction reaching a critical point.
High-level political analysis.
敗北の美学を説く文学作品は、日本文化に深く根ざしている。
Literary works that preach the aesthetics of defeat are deeply rooted in Japanese culture.
Cultural/philosophical discussion.
彼は自尊心を傷つけられることを何よりの敗北と考えている。
He considers having his pride wounded as the ultimate defeat.
Nani yori no (more than anything else).
皮肉にも、その敗北が彼のキャリアにおける最大の転換点となった。
Ironically, that defeat became the greatest turning point in his career.
Adverb 'hiniku ni mo' (ironically).
組織的な敗北を回避するため、抜本的な改革が必要だ。
To avoid an organizational defeat, drastic reforms are necessary.
Business/Strategic terminology.
敗北主義に陥ることなく、現状を冷静に分析すべきだ。
One should analyze the current situation calmly without falling into defeatism.
Haiboku-shugi (defeatism).
彼の沈黙は、事実上の敗北宣言と受け取られた。
His silence was taken as a de facto declaration of defeat.
Jijitsu-jō (de facto).
敗北の淵に立たされて初めて、真の勇気が試される。
It is only when pushed to the brink of defeat that true courage is tested.
Haiboku no fuchi (brink/abyss of defeat).
歴史の荒波の中で、かつての強国もまた敗北の憂き目に遭った。
In the stormy seas of history, former great powers also met with the bitter experience of defeat.
Literary 'uki-me ni au' (to have a bitter experience).
勝利への執着が、皮肉にも自らを敗北の深淵へと誘うこともある。
An obsession with victory can, ironically, lead one into the abyss of defeat.
Philosophical paradox.
その論理的な敗北は、彼が構築してきたパラダイムの崩壊を意味していた。
That logical defeat signified the collapse of the paradigm he had constructed.
Academic/Intellectual register.
敗北を糧にして再起を図る姿こそ、真のリーダーシップの体現である。
The figure of one aiming for a comeback by using defeat as nourishment is the very embodiment of true leadership.
Katte ni shite (using as nourishment/material).
言語に絶する敗北感に打ちひしがれ、彼はしばらく筆を置いた。
Overwhelmed by a sense of defeat beyond words, he put down his pen for a while.
Gengo ni zessuru (beyond words).
敗北の轍を踏まぬよう、過去の失敗を精緻に検証する必要がある。
To avoid following the same path of defeat, it is necessary to meticulously verify past failures.
Wadachi o fumanu (not following the same tracks/mistakes).
彼の戦略は完璧に見えたが、運命という不確定要素により敗北を余儀なくされた。
His strategy seemed perfect, but he was forced into defeat by the uncertain element of fate.
Yogi naku sareta (was forced to).
敗北を知らぬ傲慢さが、最終的には彼を破滅へと導いたのである。
The arrogance of knowing no defeat eventually led him to ruin.
Finalizing sentence in a narrative.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Defeat is the mother of success. Failure leads to future victory.
敗北は成功の母という言葉を信じて頑張る。
— To use defeat as nourishment. To learn and grow from a loss.
今回の敗北を糧にして、次は勝ちたい。
— A defeatist. Someone who expects to lose before they even try.
敗北主義者のような考えは捨てなさい。
— A concession speech or declaration of defeat.
彼はテレビで敗北宣言を行った。
— The brink or abyss of defeat. A state of nearly losing.
敗北の淵から奇跡的に逆転した。
— To taste defeat. To experience the pain of losing.
初めて本気の敗北を味わった。
— Signs or looks of defeat. Used when defeat seems inevitable.
試合後半、チームに敗北の色が濃くなった。
— To avoid defeat. To find a way to stay in the game.
何としても敗北を回避しなければならない。
— Responsibility for defeat. Often used in leadership contexts.
監督が敗北の責任を取って辞任した。
— The aesthetics of defeat. Finding nobility or beauty in losing.
日本人は敗北の美学を好む傾向がある。
Often Confused With
Shippai is 'failure' in a task. Haiboku is 'defeat' by an opponent.
Make is casual. Haiboku is formal and serious.
Haisen is specifically for losing a war.
Idioms & Expressions
— To drink the bitter cup of defeat. To suffer a painful loss.
昨日の試合で、我々は敗北の苦杯をなめた。
Literary— To experience or suffer a defeat. Very common in journalism.
優勝候補がまさかの敗北を喫した。
Formal— To admit defeat and take off one's helmet. To surrender/give up.
彼の議論の正しさに、私は兜を脱いだ。
Idiomatic— To follow in the tracks of a previous defeat. To repeat a failure.
前回の失敗と同じ敗北の轍を踏んではいけない。
Formal— To lose is to win. Sometimes yielding is the smarter move.
今は争わず、負けるが勝ちの精神で行こう。
Proverb— A defeated general does not talk about his military tactics. (One should accept failure quietly).
敗軍の将は兵を語らずと言うし、言い訳はやめよう。
Classic— The signs of defeat are thick. Defeat is almost certain.
九回裏、敗色濃厚な状況で代打が出た。
Journalistic— A bitter defeat. A loss that is hard to swallow.
それは一生忘れられない苦い敗北だった。
Common— To be defeated so thoroughly that not a patch of skin is left whole. Total destruction.
強豪校に完膚なきまでに敗北した。
Emphatic— The abyss of defeat. A state of total despair after losing.
彼は敗北の深淵に沈んでいた。
LiteraryEasily Confused
Both mean losing.
Haiboku is formal defeat (battle/contest). Shippai is failing to achieve a goal (exam/project).
試合に敗北した vs. 試験に失敗した。
Both involve losing.
Haitai specifically means losing and being kicked out of a tournament.
一回戦で敗退した。
Sounds like 'cheers' (乾杯).
Kanpai (完敗) means total defeat. Kanpai (乾杯) means cheers. The pitch accent is different.
昨日は完敗だった (Total defeat).
Different types of loss.
Sekihai is a 'narrow' loss. Haiboku is a general 'defeat.'
1点差の惜敗。
Different intensity.
Zanpai is a 'crushing' or 'humiliating' loss. Haiboku is just 'defeat.'
10対0での惨敗。
Sentence Patterns
[Noun] は 敗北 です。
これは私の敗北です。
[Subject] は [Opponent] に 敗北した。
彼はライバルに敗北した。
[Subject] は 敗北 を 認めた。
チームは敗北を認めた。
敗北 を 糧 に して ～。
敗北を糧にして練習に励む。
敗北 の 淵 に 立たされる。
彼は絶望的な敗北の淵に立たされた。
敗北 の 轍 を 踏む。
過去と同じ敗北の轍を踏むことは許されない。
敗北 を 喫する。
まさかの敗北を喫した。
事実上の 敗北。
それは事実上の敗北だった。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in written media, less common in casual spoken Japanese.
-
Using 敗北 for losing a wallet.
→
財布をなくした (Saifu o nakushita).
敗北 is for competition/defeat, not losing physical items.
-
Saying 'I defeated him' as '私は彼を敗北した'。
→
私は彼に勝利した / 彼を打ち負かした。
敗北 is intransitive in Japanese; it's something you experience, not do to others.
-
Using 敗北 for failing an exam.
→
試験に落ちた / 失敗した。
Unless the exam is personified as an enemy, use 'shippai' or 'ochiru'.
-
Elongating 'hoku' to 'hōku'.
→
敗北 (haiboku).
Elongating the vowel changes the meaning to 'discarded wood'.
-
Using 敗北 in a casual game of cards.
→
負けた (Maketa).
It sounds overly dramatic and strange in a casual setting.
Tips
When to use 敗北
Use it in writing or when discussing serious topics like politics and major sports.
The 'Ni' Particle
Always use 'ni' to mark the person who beat you. [Opponent] に 敗北する.
Writing 敗
The left side is 'shell/money' and the right side is 'strike.' Think of 'striking your money/value' to fail.
Graceful Loser
Admitting defeat (敗北を認める) is seen as honorable in Japanese culture.
Pairing with 勝利
Learn 敗北 and 勝利 (shōri) together as a pair of formal opposites.
News Keywords
If you hear 'haiboku,' look for a scoreboard or a politician on screen.
Dramatic Effect
Use it in creative writing to give a scene a sense of weight and finality.
North = Run
Remember the 'North' character (北) as someone running away from a fight.
Avoid Elongation
Keep the 'u' in 'hoku' short to avoid sounding like you are talking about 'wood'.
Business Context
Use it when analyzing why a product didn't sell well compared to a rival's.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a samurai who fails (敗) his mission and has to run all the way North (北) to hide in the snow. That long, cold walk is his 'haiboku' (defeat).
Visual Association
Picture a giant red 'L' (Loss) sitting on a map of the North Pole. The cold wind blowing past it represents the 'bitter taste of defeat.'
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three news headlines today that use the word 敗北. They are most likely in the sports or politics sections.
Word Origin
Originating from Middle Chinese, the term entered Japanese as part of the Sino-Japanese vocabulary (Kango).
Original meaning: The characters mean 'failure' (敗) and 'north' (北). In ancient Chinese military terms, 'north' was used to represent 'turning one's back' to flee.
Sino-Japanese (Kango).Cultural Context
Be careful when using 敗北 regarding World War II; the more specific term '敗戦' (haisen) is usually used, and the topic remains sensitive.
English speakers often use 'defeat' and 'lose' interchangeably. In Japanese, using 敗北 in a casual setting sounds like a translation error from a dramatic movie.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Sports News
- 決勝で敗北
- 敗北を喫する
- 屈辱的な敗北
- 敗北から立ち上がる
Political Elections
- 敗北宣言
- 歴史的な敗北
- 敗北の責任を取る
- 事実上の敗北
History/War
- 敵軍に敗北
- 敗北の淵
- 敗走する
- 敗北を認めて降伏
Business/Strategy
- 市場での敗北
- 戦略的敗北
- 敗北の原因を分析
- 競争に敗北する
Anime/Manga Battles
- 敗北を知る
- これが敗北か
- 敗北は許されない
- 無敗の男
Conversation Starters
"人生で一番大きな敗北は何でしたか？ (What was the biggest defeat in your life?)"
"敗北から学んだ最も重要なことは何ですか？ (What is the most important thing you learned from defeat?)"
"スポーツで敗北を喫したとき、どうやって立ち直りますか？ (When you suffer a defeat in sports, how do you recover?)"
"「敗北は成功の母」という言葉をどう思いますか？ (What do you think of the saying 'Defeat is the mother of success'?)"
"日本の歴史で、最も印象的な敗北は何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the most impressive defeat in Japanese history?)"
Journal Prompts
最近、自分が「敗北した」と感じた瞬間について書いてください。 (Write about a moment recently when you felt you were 'defeated.')
敗北を認めることの難しさと重要性について考えてみましょう。 (Consider the difficulty and importance of admitting defeat.)
もし過去の敗北を一つ消せるとしたら、どれを選びますか？その理由は？ (If you could erase one past defeat, which would you choose and why?)
成功よりも敗北の方が人を成長させると思いますか？ (Do you think defeat grows a person more than success?)
あなたの好きな映画や本の中の「美しい敗北」について説明してください。 (Explain a 'beautiful defeat' in your favorite movie or book.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo. For losing objects, use 'nakusu' (なくす). 敗北 is only for losing a competition or battle.
You can, but it sounds very dramatic and funny. Use 'make' (負け) for casual games.
Formality. 負け is everyday Japanese; 敗北 is for news, history, and formal situations.
You can't. You must say 'He was defeated by me' (彼は私に敗北した) or use '打ち負かす' (uchimakasu).
In ancient times, losers turned their backs to the enemy and ran toward the North.
It is usually categorized as N2, but it appears frequently in N1 reading materials and daily news.
It is more common to say '敗北に終わる' (end in defeat) or '敗北する' (to be defeated).
It means a 'concession speech' or a formal declaration that you have lost.
勝利 (shōri), which means victory.
The sounds are the same, but the kanji and pitch accent are different. Context usually makes it clear.
Test Yourself 191 questions
Translate to Japanese: 'He admitted defeat.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'I suffered a defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'The taste of defeat is bitter.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Don't fear defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Learn from defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'It was a complete defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'The team was defeated.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'He knows no defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'A miserable defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'The reason for defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'History of defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'I was defeated by my rival.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Admit defeat gracefully.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'A sense of defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Declaration of defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Overcome defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'The opposite of victory is defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Defeat is the mother of success.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Signs of defeat.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'A historical defeat.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'I admit defeat' in formal Japanese.
Read this aloud:
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Say 'It was a bitter defeat.'
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Say 'I was defeated by him.'
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Say 'Let's learn from defeat.'
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Say 'I don't want to lose.' (using formal word)
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Say 'That is a historical defeat.'
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Say 'He is undefeated.'
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Say 'Don't be afraid of defeat.'
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Say 'The reason for defeat is...'
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Say 'I feel a sense of defeat.'
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Say 'It ended in defeat.'
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Say 'A crushing defeat.'
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Say 'Admit it gracefully.'
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Say 'Defeat is the mother of success.'
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Say 'I was defeated by temptation.'
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Say 'A complete defeat.'
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Say 'The signs of defeat are strong.'
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Say 'I'll take the responsibility.'
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Say 'It was a narrow defeat.'
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Say 'Never repeat the same defeat.'
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Listen and identify the word: [haiboku]
What is the speaker admitting? [敗北を認めます]
What happened in the election? [選挙で敗北した]
How was the defeat? [惨めな敗北だった]
Who lost? [チームは敗北した]
What is bitter? [敗北の味は苦い]
What should we do? [敗北から学ぼう]
Is he a winner? [彼は敗北を知らない]
Is it certain? [敗北の色が濃い]
What did they suffer? [歴史的な敗北を喫した]
What was the cause? [敗北の原因は何か]
Who did they lose to? [ライバルに敗北した]
Was it a big loss? [大敗北だった]
Did they give up? [敗北を宣言した]
What feeling is described? [激しい敗北感]
/ 191 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
败北 (haiboku) is your 'serious' word for losing. Use it for major life events, sports championships, or historical contexts. Example: '敗北を認める' (To admit defeat) is a powerful way to show acceptance of a loss.
- 敗北 (haiboku) is a formal Japanese word meaning 'defeat' or 'loss.'
- It is more serious than the casual 'make' and is used in news and history.
- It can be a noun or a verb (敗北する) meaning 'to be defeated.'
- Historically, it refers to turning one's back and fleeing from a battlefield.
When to use 敗北
Use it in writing or when discussing serious topics like politics and major sports.
The 'Ni' Particle
Always use 'ni' to mark the person who beat you. [Opponent] に 敗北する.
Writing 敗
The left side is 'shell/money' and the right side is 'strike.' Think of 'striking your money/value' to fail.
Graceful Loser
Admitting defeat (敗北を認める) is seen as honorable in Japanese culture.
Example
残念な敗北です。
