敗北 — meaning in English: defeat

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

Guess the translation for defeat

投資

toushi

訪問者

hōmonsha

敗北

haiboku

プレーン

purēn

ウサギ

usagi

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Japanese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 敗北 (haiboku) in contexts such as sports commentary, discussions about competitive games, or in personal reflections after a significant setback. For example, a sports announcer might say, 'The team faced a crushing 敗北 in the championship match,' highlighting the emotional weight of defeat.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 負け (make), which also means 'loss' but is often used in more casual contexts. While 敗北 (haiboku) conveys a more profound sense of defeat, especially in formal or competitive situations, 負け (make) might be used in everyday conversation, such as when discussing a friendly game.

Culture

The term 敗北 (haiboku) combines the characters 敗 (hai), meaning 'defeat,' and 北 (boku), which historically has connotations of direction, leading to a nuanced view of defeat as a directional setback. In Japanese culture, where honor and perseverance are valued, acknowledging a 敗北 can be seen as an important step toward growth and improvement, reflecting the popular proverb 'Fall seven times, stand up eight.'

FAQ

Q.What does 敗北 mean in English?

敗北 (haiboku) translates to 'defeat' in English, often carrying a connotation of a significant loss in competitive or personal contexts.

Q.In what contexts is 敗北 commonly used?

It is frequently used in sports, competitive discussions, and personal reflections on failure, emphasizing the emotional and cultural weight of experiencing a loss.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 敗北?

A common mistake is using 敗北 in casual conversations where 負け (make) would be more appropriate. Remember, 敗北 is best reserved for more serious contexts.

Learn japanese with Maspeak →

Japanese 2000