(けいば)

けいば
noun
horse racing
1. horse racing
The sport of racing horses, typically with betting. In Japan, this is a popular form of legalized gambling.
I'm going to watch horse racing.
My father bets on horse racing every week.
Japanese horse racing is famous worldwide, and large races attract many spectators.

競馬(けいば) refers to the sport of horse racing. In Japan, it is one of the few forms of legal gambling alongside 競輪(けいりん) (bicycle racing), 競艇(きょうてい) (boat racing), and オートレース (motorcycle racing).

Common collocations:

  • 競馬(けいば)()る (to watch horse racing)
  • 競馬(けいば)()ける (to bet on horse racing)
  • 競馬場(けいばじょう) (racetrack)
  • 競馬(けいば)ファン (horse racing fan)

Cultural note: Major races like the 日本(にっぽん)ダービー and the 有馬記念(ありまきねん) draw huge audiences and significant betting pools.