くらべ・比べ・較べ・競べkurabe[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, noun (suffix)contest; comparison; competition

• Related競争きょうそうNeutralGeneral competition with a wide range of uses, as in 「生存競争」; 「比べ」 mostly serves as a suffix comparing who is better on some point, as in 「力比べ」.
• Related競り合いせりあいNeutralA close, neck-and-neck struggle between evenly matched rivals; also common in sports reporting. 「比べ」 leans toward comparing who ranks higher on some point.
• Related試合しあいNeutralA rule-governed sports or martial-arts match, as in 「試合に出る」; 「比べ」 usually means an informal comparison or test of skill.
• Related勝負しょうぶNeutralA contest fought to decide a winner, and the result itself, as in 「勝負をつける」; 「比べ」 centers on comparing who comes out ahead.
• Related戦いたたかいNeutralCovers battle and struggle as well as contests, as in 「時間との戦い」 — far broader than 「比べ」, which is comparison or a test of skill and carries no sense of combat.
• RelatedコンテストNeutralLoanword for an organized contest judging works or skill, as in 「美人コンテスト」; 「比べ」 is typically an informal test of who is better.
• Related競技きょうぎNeutralRule-governed athletic events and matches, as in 「陸上競技」; 「比べ」 is more often an informal, casual comparison.
• Related争いあらそいNeutralQuarrels, disputes and feuds as well as rivalry, as in 「争いが絶えない」, often with a sense of conflict; 「比べ」 is simply comparing, with no hint of conflict.
• Related対抗たいこうNeutralContesting to outdo a rival, as in 「クラス対抗」; also a legal term. 「比べ」 focuses on measuring who ranks higher.
• Related対戦たいせんNeutralFacing an opponent head-on, as in 「対戦相手」; mostly in sports and games. 「比べ」 focuses on comparing who is better.
• Related合戦かっせんNeutralOriginally a battle or engagement, but also used for contests, as in 「雪合戦」「歌合戦」; 「比べ」 centers on comparing who is better.
• Related争奪そうだつWrittenWritten/formal prose: scrambling to seize something for oneself, as in 「首位争奪」; 「比べ」 is a test or comparison and involves no seizing.
• RelatedゲームNeutralLoanword for games and play, also a game or set within a match, as in 「ゲームに勝つ」; 「比べ」 focuses on comparing who comes out ahead.
• RelatedコンクールNeutralLoanword for competitions judging music, painting and other works or skills, as in 「ピアノコンクール」; 「比べ」 is usually an informal test of skill.
• RelatedコンペNeutralShortened loanword, often for golf competitions or design bids, as in 「コンペで勝つ」; 「比べ」 covers a broader range of comparisons.
• RelatedコンペティションWrittenFormal loanword for competition or a competitive event, especially golf; used less often — in daily speech people say 「コンペ」.
• Related手合わせてあわせNeutralA bout or test of skill between two people, as in 「お手合わせ願います」; mostly in board games and martial arts. 「比べ」 leans toward ranking who is better.
• Related争奪戦そうだつせんNeutralA scramble by several parties to win something, as in 「人材争奪戦」; 「比べ」 is a test or comparison, not aimed at taking something.

「比べ」 mostly works as a suffix for comparing on some point — 「力比べ」「食べ比べ」. For formal rule-based matches use 「試合」 or 「競技」; for judged contests of works or skill use 「コンテスト」; when a clear winner must be decided, use 「勝負」. The other words cover rivalry, scrambles and bouts.

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

1. 比くらべること。比較ひかく。優劣ゆうれつを競い合きそいあうこと。競走きょうそう。