How to say "duel" in Japanese

• 決闘けっとうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe general word for a duel: a prearranged armed fight between two people. It also means a shoot-out, so it fits a gunfight between two gunmen as well as a formal duel.
  西園寺さいおんじは決闘けっとうに勝かつと思おもっていたのに負まけた。↗

  Kyouichi Saionji, who he supposed would win the duel, has lost.
• 一騎打ちいっきうちCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbSingle combat: a one-on-one fight, especially two warriors facing each other alone in battle. For 'duel' it stresses the one-on-one matchup rather than a formal, prearranged duel.

Use 決闘 for a duel in the general sense, including a shoot-out between gunmen; use 「一騎打ち」 when the point is single combat — a one-on-one fight between two fighters, as between warriors in battle.

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

• 決闘けっとうduel
• 一騎打ちいっきうちsingle combat
• デュエルduel
• 果たし合いはたしあいduel
• 果たし合うはたしあうto duel