敗北(はいぼく)

はいぼく
noun, suru verb
defeat, loss
1. defeat, loss
Being beaten in a battle, competition, election, or conflict. A formal word for losing that carries a sense of gravity and finality.
選挙(せんきょ)で敗北(はいぼく)した。
He was defeated in the election.
敗北(はいぼく)を認(みと)めるのは簡単(かんたん)ではない。
Accepting defeat is not easy.
チームは三連(さんれん)敗北(はいぼく)を喫(きっ)し、監督(かんとく)の辞任(じにん)が取(と)り沙汰(ざた)されている。
The team suffered three consecutive defeats, and the coach's resignation is being discussed.

USAGE:
A formal, weighty word for defeat. More serious in tone than 負(ま)け (loss, casual). Used in sports, politics, military, and business contexts. The verb form 敗北(はいぼく)する means "to be defeated."

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 敗北(はいぼく)を喫(きっ)する: to suffer a defeat
  • 敗北(はいぼく)を認(みと)める: to concede defeat
  • 敗北(はいぼく)感(かん): sense of defeat
  • 大(だい)敗北(はいぼく): crushing defeat

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 負(ま)け: loss, defeat (casual, everyday)
  • 敗戦(はいせん): defeat in war/a game (more specific to war or sports matches)
  • 惨敗(ざんぱい): crushing defeat, devastating loss
general
Added 2026.2.22 21:42
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