1.
archenemy, old rival, longtime nemesis
An enemy or rival with whom one has had a long-standing conflict or rivalry. Implies a deep, enduring opposition.
宿敵 combines 宿 (long-standing, old) and 敵 (enemy). The 宿 component implies something that has persisted over a long period.
Common collocations
- 宿敵を倒す (to defeat one's archenemy)
- 宿敵との対決 (confrontation with a nemesis)
- 宿敵に勝つ (to triumph over a rival)
- 長年の宿敵 (longtime rival)
Usage
Used in sports, fiction, history, and politics to describe deeply rooted rivalries. It carries a dramatic, literary feel and is commonly seen in sports journalism and manga/anime narratives.