負(ま)ける

まける

verb (ichidan)

to lose, to be defeated

1. to lose, to be defeated

To fail to win in a game, competition, or conflict.

試合(しあい)に負(ま)けた。

I lost the game.

彼(かれ)は負(ま)けず嫌(ぎら)いだから、いつも最後(さいご)まで頑張(がんば)る。

He hates losing, so he always gives it his all until the end.

負けず嫌い = competitive, hates to lose

相手(あいて)に負(ま)けた。

I lost to my opponent.

選挙(せんきょ)に負(ま)けた。

I lost the election.

じゃんけんで負(ま)けた。

I lost at rock-paper-scissors.

負(ま)けても諦(あきら)めない。

Even if I lose, I won't give up.

2. to give in, to yield

To concede or surrender to pressure or temptation.

誘惑(ゆうわく)に負(ま)けてしまった。

I gave in to temptation.

暑(あつ)さに負(ま)けないで、水分(すいぶん)をしっかり取(と)って、夏(なつ)を乗(の)り越(こ)えよう。

Don't give in to the heat—stay hydrated and get through the summer.

寒(さむ)さに負(ま)けた。

I gave in to the cold.

圧力(あつりょく)に負(ま)けた。

I yielded to pressure.

病気(びょうき)に負(ま)けないで。

Don't give in to the illness.

3. to give a discount

Colloquially, to reduce the price as a favor.

少(すこ)し負(ま)けてくれませんか。

Could you give me a small discount?

Discount meaning—casual

値段(ねだん)を負(ま)けてください。

Please give me a discount.

もう少(すこ)し負(ま)けてよ。

Give me a bit more discount.

千円(せんえん)負(ま)けてあげる。

I'll give you a 1000 yen discount.

常連(じょうれん)のお客(きゃく)さんだから、今回(こんかい)は特別(とくべつ)に五百円(ごひゃくえん)負(ま)けてあげるよ。

Since you're a regular customer, I'll give you a special 500-yen discount this time.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Pattern: Xに負(ま)ける (lose to X).

ASPECT: ている indicates resulting state. 負(ま)けている = 'is losing' or 'has lost.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

試合(しあい)に負(ま)ける (lose a game)
相手(あいて)に負(ま)ける (lose to an opponent)
誘惑(ゆうわく)に負(ま)ける (yield to temptation)
負(ま)けず嫌(ぎら)い (competitive, hates to lose)
負(ま)け犬(いぬ) (loser—lit. 'losing dog')

OPPOSITE: 勝(か)つ (to win)

DISCOUNT USAGE (colloquial):

負(ま)けてよ (Give me a discount!)
負(ま)けてあげる (I'll give you a discount)

負(ま)ける

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