勝つ・克つ・贏つ|かつkatsu[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
勝つ勝つ is the most common written form of this verb and the usual choice for learners whenever they need to write it.
克つ克つ is a rarely used written form of this verb. You may encounter it, but it is not the usual choice for learners.
贏つ贏つ is a rarely used written form of this verb. You may encounter it, but it is not the usual choice for learners.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto win; to gain victory
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 勝つ（かつ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 勝ちます（かちます） |
| Negative (nai) | 勝たない（かたない） |
| polite (masen) | 勝ちません（かちません） |
| classical zu / nu | 勝たず・勝たぬ（かたず・かたぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 勝った（かった） |
| polite (mashita) | 勝ちました（かちました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 勝たなかった（かたなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 勝ちませんでした（かちませんでした） |
| Te form | 勝って（かって） |
| Potential | 勝てる（かてる） |
| Passive | 勝たれる（かたれる） |
| Causative | 勝たせる（かたせる） |
| Causative passive | 勝たせられる・勝たされる（かたせられる・かたされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 勝てば（かてば） |
| tara | 勝ったら（かったら） |
| Volitional | 勝とう（かとう） |
| polite (mashou) | 勝ちましょう（かちましょう） |
| Imperative | 勝て（かて） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym打ち勝つうちかつWrittenWritten. For overcoming a difficulty or beating an opponent, as in 「誘惑に打ち勝つ」; stresses the act of conquering more strongly than 「勝つ」.
- Synonym勝利しょうりWrittenWritten and formal. A Sino-Japanese noun for victory, as in 「勝利を収める」; use it when you need the noun, 「勝つ」 for the verb.
- Synonym負かすまかすNeutralNeutral. Transitive: to defeat an opponent, as in 「相手を負かす」; unlike intransitive 「勝つ」, the beaten side is the direct object.
- Synonym打ち負かすうちまかすNeutralNeutral. To defeat an opponent thoroughly, as in 「強敵を打ち負かす」; transitive, with the winning side as subject and the loser as object.
- Related勝ち取るかちとるWrittenWritten. To win something by striving or contending for it, as in 「優勝を勝ち取る」 or 「権利を勝ち取る」.
- Related勝ち得るかちえるWrittenWritten. To gain something through effort, as in 「信頼を勝ち得る」; the stress is on obtaining it rather than on the contest itself.
- Related打ち破るうちやぶるWrittenWritten. To crush an enemy or smash a record, as in 「強豪を打ち破る」; a stronger, more forceful image than plain 「勝つ」.
- Related倒すたおすNeutralNeutral. To knock down or overthrow, as in 「政権を倒す」; about bringing the other side down, not just winning a contest.
- Related破るやぶるNeutralNeutral. To beat an opponent or break a record, as in 「記録を破る」; also the plain verb for tearing, so context decides the sense.
- Related打ち倒すうちたおすWrittenWritten. To strike an opponent down or defeat them completely, as in 「敵を打ち倒す」; carries a forceful, physical nuance.
- Antonym負けるまけるNeutralNeutral. The direct antonym of 「勝つ」: to lose or be defeated, as in 「試合に負ける」.
- Antonym敗れるやぶれるWrittenWritten. The formal antonym of 「勝つ」: to be defeated or suffer a setback; more literary than 「負ける」.
Default to 「勝つ」 for winning. Use the noun 「勝利」 for victory, 「打ち勝つ」 for overcoming difficulties, 「負かす」 or 「破る」 for beating an opponent, 「勝ち取る」 for winning through effort, and 「負ける」 or 「敗れる」 for losing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
