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戦闘 — meaning in English: combat

sentō · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for fighting
制限
seigen
パターン
patān
戦闘
sentō
シャツ
shatsu
実験
jikken
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neutral common
Usage
Native speakers often use 戦闘 (sentō) in discussions about military strategy, historical battles, or in the context of video games and anime depicting combat scenarios. For instance, during a conversation about World War II, one might say, 'The 戦闘 at Iwo Jima was pivotal to the Pacific campaign.'
Synonyms & nuances
While 戦闘 (sentō) specifically refers to combat or fighting, the word 戦争 (sensō) is used for 'war' in a broader sense. You would choose 戦闘 when referring to a specific instance of fighting, whereas 戦争 encompasses the larger conflict, making it suitable for discussions about overall military engagements.
Culture
The term 戦闘 (sentō) is derived from the kanji 戦 (sen), meaning 'war' or 'battle,' and 闘 (tō), which can mean 'fight' or 'struggle.' In Japanese culture, the concept of combat has a rich historical background, deeply intertwined with samurai culture and martial arts, which still influences modern media and entertainment.
FAQ
Q.What is the difference between 戦闘 and 戦争?
戦闘 (sentō) refers specifically to combat or fighting, while 戦争 (sensō) means war as a broader conflict. Use 戦闘 when talking about a specific battle, and 戦争 when discussing the overall war.
Q.How do you use 戦闘 in a sentence?
You can use 戦闘 in a sentence like, '彼らは激しい戦闘を繰り広げた' which translates to 'They engaged in intense combat.' This shows the word's application in describing specific fighting scenarios.
Q.Is 戦闘 used in everyday conversation?
戦闘 is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation unless the topic directly involves military or combat situations. It is more common in discussions about history, video games, or movies that feature battles.
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