打败

The structure is very simple. Use A 打败了 B. The 了 is almost always there to show the deed is done. You can use it for people, teams, or even abstract things like 'difficulties.' It is a transitive verb, so it needs an object. You can't just say 'I defeated.' You must say who you defeated.

Use it when there is a clear winner and loser. It’s perfect for sports talk after a big match. Use it in history class when discussing famous generals. It works great in video games when you finally crush that boss level. You can even use it at work when your team wins a contract over a rival.

Don't use it for small, accidental wins. If you just happened to finish a puzzle first, it’s too intense. Avoid it in sensitive social situations where you want to be humble. Saying you 'defeated' your mother-in-law in an argument might be technically true, but it’s a social disaster. Use 赢 (win) instead for a softer touch.

In Chinese culture, competition is often viewed through the lens of historical battles. Many idioms about winning come from the Three Kingdoms period. 打败 feels like a modern, punchy version of those ancient war stories. It reflects a mindset of perseverance and overcoming obstacles. It’s not just about luck; it’s about effort and power.

You will often see 击败. This is slightly more formal and used in news headlines. If you want to say you were defeated, you use 被打败了. In slang, people might say KO了 to sound cool and modern. For a very crushing defeat, you can say 大败, though that can be tricky as it sometimes means the opposite depending on the grammar!