勝(か)つ

かつ
verb (godan)
to win
1. to win, to be victorious
To defeat an opponent in a game, competition, or conflict.
試合(しあい)に勝(か)った。
I won the game.
に marks the competition/game
彼(かれ)に勝(か)てる自信(じしん)がない。
I don't have confidence that I can beat him.
に marks the opponent; 勝(か)てる is potential form
決勝(けっしょう)で勝(か)って優勝(ゆうしょう)した。
I won the final and became champion.
2. to overcome, to beat
To successfully overcome a challenge or difficulty.
誘惑(ゆうわく)に勝(か)つ。
Overcome temptation.
自分(じぶん)に勝(か)つ。
Overcome oneself.
寒(さむ)さに勝(か)てない。
I can't beat the cold.
Potential form 勝(か)てる

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Pair: None (but related: 負(ま)ける = to lose). Pattern: Xに勝(か)つ (win against X / win at X).

ASPECT: ている indicates resulting state. 勝(か)っている = 'is winning' (current lead) or 'has won.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 試合(しあい)に勝(か)つ (win a game)
  • 相手(あいて)に勝(か)つ (beat an opponent)
  • 3対(たい)2で勝(か)つ (win 3 to 2)
  • 誘惑(ゆうわく)に勝(か)つ (overcome temptation)
  • 勝(か)ち負(ま)け (win or lose—noun)

OPPOSITE: 負(ま)ける (to lose)

IDIOMS:

  • 勝(か)ちに行(い)く (go for the win)
  • 勝(か)ち残(のこ)る (survive as winner)

REGISTER: Neutral.

Related Words

Antonym: 負(ま)ける (to lose)
general
Added 2026.1.8 21:28 · Revised 2026.3.7 9:53
01000/01199_katsu