How to say "competition" in Japanese

• 競争きょうそうJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe general word for competition as rivalry: the activity of competing against others to win, in business, sports, or over scarce opportunities. Use it for the abstract struggle, not for a named contest event.
  十じゅう中ちゅう八九はちきゅう、彼かれが競争きょうそうに勝かつでしょう。↗

  In nine cases out of ten, he will win the race.
• ライバルCommon
  nounReally means 'rival' or 'competitor': the person or side you compete against. Its 'competition' sense is marginal — use it when talking about the opponent, not the activity of competing itself.
  彼かれは自分じぶんのライバルをひどくこきおろした。↗

  He criticized his rival severely.
• 対抗たいこうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbRivalry in the sense of opposing or matching oneself against a rival, with a shade of resistance or antagonism. For plain 'competition' it is marginal; it really points to standing up to an opponent.
  ためらうことなく、その陰謀いんぼうにたいする徹底てっていした対抗たいこう処置しょちをとった。↗

  Without a moment's hesitation, they took drastic action against the conspiracy.
• コンクールJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounAn organized contest or competition as an event, typically one where performances or entries are judged and prizes awarded, as in music or art contests. Use it for the event, not abstract rivalry.
  ピアノ・コンクールで私が第だい１位いになるなんて夢想むそうだにしなかった。↗

  Never did I dream that I would take first place in the piano contest.
• コンペCommon
  nounAn abbreviated loanword for a competition, heard especially about design or proposal contests where competing entries are compared. As a shortened form it carries a casual, informal tone.

Use 競争 for competition as rivalry or the activity of competing, 「コンクール」 and 「コンペ」 for organized contests, 「ライバル」 for the rival or opponent, and 対抗 for opposition or pitting oneself against a rival.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 競争きょうそうcompetition
• ライバルrival
• 対抗たいこうopposition
• コンクールcompetition
• コンペcompetition
• 競合きょうごうcontention
• 競り合いせりあいcompetition
• コンペティションcompetition
• 張り合いはりあいcompetition
• くらべcontest
• 競技きょうぎgame
• 闘技とうぎcompetition
• 競りせりcompeting
• 競いきそいcompetition
• 励み合いはげみあいcompetition
• 角逐かくちくcompetition
• 賞レースしょうレースcompetition (for a prize or award)
• 争奪戦そうだつせんcontest
• 勝負事しょうぶごとgambling
• 対抗戦たいこうせんmatch
• 競合相手きょうごうあいてcompetitor
• 大会たいかいtournament
• 戦いたたかいcontest
• 争いあらそいcompetition
• 戦せんmatch
• 手合いてあいcompetition
• ダービーbattle (for first place)