征服|せいふくseifuku[0]heiban (flat)
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- noun, suru verb, transitive verbconquest; subjugation
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbovercoming (a difficulty); conquering (e.g. a mountain); mastery (of a skill)彼はエベレストを征服した。↗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.
- 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


