How to say "rival" in Japanese

• 敵てきJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'rival' in the sense of an opponent or adversary in a contest or conflict, where the relationship is oppositional or hostile rather than friendly; typical contexts are sports, games, and battle.
  ある男おとこを判断はんだんするには、その人ひとの友人ゆうじんによるのと同様どうように敵てきによって判断はんだんするのがいいだろう。↗

  You shall judge of a man by his foes as well as by his friends.
• ライバルCommon
  nounThe direct word for a rival as a competitor chasing the same goal, often someone of similar standing; typical of school, sports, or business, where the rivalry may be keen without being hostile.
  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.
• 仇あだCommon
  nounReally means a foe or enemy, often one tied to enmity or a grudge, so it is seldom the word you want for an ordinary rival; its 'rival' sense is marginal.
• 匹敵ひってきJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, intransitive verbThis is the verb 'to rival': to be a match for, equal to, or comparable with someone or something in ability, scale, or quality; it is not a noun for a rival person.
  あなたは知力ちりょくで彼かれに匹敵ひってきしている。↗

  You are equal to him in intelligence.
• 張り合うはりあうCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe verb 'to rival' in the sense of actively competing or vying with someone, each trying to outdo the other; fits people contending for the same prize, position, or goal.
  都会とかいの会社かいしゃは有能ゆうのうな若者わかものを採用さいようしようと互たがいに張り合はりあった。↗

  City firms vied with each other to hire the brightest young staff.

For a rival person, 「ライバル」 is the word for a competitor and 敵 for an opponent or adversary, while 仇 is really a foe; as a verb, 匹敵 is to be a match for and 「張り合う」 to compete or vie.

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

• 敵てきopponent
• ライバルrival
• 仇あだfoe
• 匹敵ひってきto be a match for
• 張り合うはりあうto compete (with each other)
• 敵かたきrival
• 敵うかなうto match
• 敵手てきしゅrival
• ライバル会社ライバルがいしゃrival (company)
• 対抗馬たいこうばrival candidate
• 競争者きょうそうしゃcompetitor
• 競争相手きょうそうあいてcompetitor
• 双璧をなすそうへきをなすto be a match for
• 競合相手きょうごうあいてcompetitor
• 類いするたぐいするto be equal to
• 並ぶならぶto rival