征服|せいふくseifuku[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbconquest; subjugation
    ノルマン人にんは1066年ねんにイングランドを征服せいふくした。↗
    The Normans conquered England in 1066.
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verbovercoming (a difficulty); conquering (e.g. a mountain); mastery (of a skill)
    彼かれはエベレストを征服せいふくした。↗
    He conquered Mt. Everest.
Conjugation
Dictionary form征服する(せいふくする)
Polite (masu)征服します(せいふくします)
Negative (nai)征服しない(せいふくしない)
polite (masen)征服しません(せいふくしません)
classical zu / nu征服せず・征服せぬ(せいふくせず・せいふくせぬ)
Past (ta)征服した(せいふくした)
polite (mashita)征服しました(せいふくしました)
Past negative (nakatta)征服しなかった(せいふくしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)征服しませんでした(せいふくしませんでした)
Te form征服して(せいふくして)
Potential征服できる(せいふくできる)
Passive征服される(せいふくされる)
Causative征服させる(せいふくさせる)
Causative passive征服させられる(せいふくさせられる)
Conditional (ba)征服すれば(せいふくすれば)
tara征服したら(せいふくしたら)
Volitional征服しよう(せいふくしよう)
polite (mashou)征服しましょう(せいふくしましょう)
Imperative征服しろ(せいふくしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym制覇せいはNeutralNeutral word for dominating a field or winning a title, as in 「全国制覇」. 「征服」 stresses making the opponent submit.
  • Synonym攻略こうりゃくNeutralNeutral word for capturing positions and, by extension, beating games or cracking problems strategically. 「征服」 stresses forcing submission.
  • Related占拠せんきょNeutralNeutral word for occupying and holding a building or site, as in 「不法占拠」. 「征服」 stresses forcing submission.
  • Related乗っ取るのっとるNeutralNeutral verb for seizing control — taking over companies, hijacking planes. 「征服」 stresses making the other side submit and also covers conquering difficulties.
  • Related占領せんりょうNeutralNeutral word for occupying territory, also for hogging a seat or spot, as in 「席を占領する」. 「征服」 stresses bringing the other side under one's control.
  • Related克服こくふくNeutralNeutral word for overcoming difficulties or illness. 「征服」 also covers conquering peaks and other daunting challenges.
  • Related征討せいとうWrittenWritten/formal prose for military campaigns to subdue rebels. 「征服」 stresses bringing the other side to complete submission, and also covers conquering difficulties.
  • Related討伐とうばつNeutralNeutral term for sending troops to hunt down rebels or bandits, with a righteous nuance. 「征服」 stresses forcing the other side into submission.
  • Related征伐せいばつNeutralNeutral word for punitive expeditions, also for chastising wrongdoers, as in 「鬼退治」-style demon slaying. 「征服」 stresses making the other side submit.
  • Related乗り取るのりとるNeutralNeutral verb meaning to seize and take over, but rarely used; 「乗っ取る」 is the usual choice.
  • Antonym服従ふくじゅうNeutralThe opposite of 「征服」 on the conquer-or-submit axis: obeying another's orders or will.
  • Antonym降伏こうふくNeutralThe opposite of 「征服」 on the conquer-or-submit axis: admitting defeat and surrendering, as in war.

Use 「征服」 for bringing someone to submission or conquering a peak or challenge, as in 「エベレスト征服」. For military campaigns against rebels choose 「討伐」 or 「征伐」 (「征討」 in formal prose); for winning titles use 「制覇」; for overcoming difficulties 「克服」; for occupying territory 「占領」. The opposites are 「服従」 and 「降伏」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 力ちからの強つよい者ものが、相手あいてを負まかして支配下しはいかにおくこと。
  2. 難むずかしいことを克服こくふくして、目的もくてきを達成たっせいすること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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