How to say "contest" in Japanese

• 競技きょうぎJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbRefers to competitive events, games, matches, or sports contests, viewed as structured activities with rules. Use it when talking about athletic or game competitions rather than rivalry in general.
  あなたは競技きょうぎに参加さんかしましたか。↗

  Did you take part in the game?
• 競争きょうそうJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbCovers competition, rivalry, or a race in an abstract sense, such as market or academic competition. It stresses the rivalry among participants rather than the event itself, and is less common for a single organized contest.
  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.
• コンテストJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe direct loanword for an organized contest, such as a speech, essay, talent, or beauty contest. When you mean a specific contest event, this is usually the word you want.
  スピーチコンテストは１１月がつ９日かに行おこなわれた。↗

  The speech contest took place on the ninth of November.
• 争うあらそうJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbA verb meaning to compete, contend, or contest something, as in fighting over a title or disputing a point. Use it when 'contest' is a verb, not for the noun naming an event.
  １０チームが賞しょうを得えようと争あらそった。↗

  Ten teams competed for the prize.
• 争奪そうだつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbMeans a struggle or scramble for something, as in a contest over a prize or supremacy. For everyday senses of 'contest' it is seldom the word you want; it is really about a struggle to seize something.

Use 「コンテスト」 for organized contests like talent or speech contests, 競技 for competitive events or games, 競争 for competition or rivalry in general, and the verb 「争う」 for contesting or contending; 争奪 mainly appears in the sense of a struggle or scramble for something.

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

• 競技きょうぎgame
• 競争きょうそうcompetition
• コンテストcontest
• 争うあらそうto compete
• 争奪そうだつstruggle (for)
• コンクールcompetition
• くらべcontest
• 競演きょうえんcontest (between performers)
• 試合しあいmatch
• 対戦たいせんfighting (against)
• 合戦かっせんbattle
• 競うきそうto compete
• 闘技とうぎcompetition
• 腕比べうでくらべcontest (of strength or skill)
• 争奪戦そうだつせんcontest
• 競くらcontest
• 手合わせてあわせgame
• 戦いたたかいcontest
• 大会たいかいtournament
• 勝負しょうぶmatch
• 争いあらそいcompetition
• こdoing together
• ダービーbattle (for first place)