負け|まけmake[0]heiban (flat)
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- noundefeat; loss; losing (a game)
- suffixfailing to live up to (one's name, looks, etc.)
- noundiscount; loss (on a sale)
- Synonym敗戦はいせんNeutralLosing a war or match, especially a nation's defeat, as in 「敗戦国」. 「負け」 is the everyday word with a much wider range.
- Synonym敗北はいぼくWrittenWritten/formal prose word for being beaten in battle or competition, as in 「敗北を喫する」; 「負け」 is the colloquial everyday choice.
- Synonym黒星くろぼしNeutralThe black dot marking a loss in sumo and other sports, by extension a failure or blunder; 「負け」 is the general word.
- Synonym敗はいNeutralMostly a counter or suffix, as in 「三勝二敗」; when simply saying you lost, use 「負け」.
- Antonym勝ちかちNeutralThe opposite of 「負け」 in wins and losses: winning, victory.
For everyday losing and failure, use 「負け」. In written prose say 「敗北」; for losing a war or big match, 「敗戦」. Count wins and losses with 「敗」, and a recorded loss in a match log is 「黒星」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


