敗戦(はいせん)

はいせん
noun
defeat in war, lost war
1. defeat in war, military defeat
Losing a war. In Japanese, this word most commonly refers to Japan's defeat in World War II, but it can also describe any military defeat or, more broadly, losing in a competition or match.
敗戦(はいせん)から日本(にほん)は立(た)ち直(なお)った。
Japan recovered from its wartime defeat.
敗戦(はいせん)の責任(せきにん)を問(と)う声(こえ)が上(あ)がった。
Voices arose calling for accountability for the defeat.
敗戦(はいせん)直後(ちょくご)の日本(にほん)は食料(しょくりょう)も物資(ぶっし)も不足(ふそく)し、多(おお)くの国民(こくみん)が苦(くる)しい生活(せいかつ)を強(し)いられた。
Immediately after the defeat, Japan lacked food and supplies, and many citizens were forced to endure difficult lives.

Usage

When used without further context, 敗戦(はいせん) in Japanese most often refers to Japan's defeat in World War II (1945). The word 終戦(しゅうせん) (end of the war) is a more neutral alternative often used officially, while 敗戦(はいせん) explicitly acknowledges defeat. In sports contexts, 敗戦(はいせん) can also mean a loss or defeat in a game.

Common collocations

  • 敗戦(はいせん)後(ご): after the defeat
  • 敗戦(はいせん)国(こく): defeated nation
  • 敗戦(はいせん)の色(いろ)が濃(こ)い: defeat appears imminent (lit. "the color of defeat is thick")

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 敗北(はいぼく) (defeat, loss)
Antonym: 勝利(しょうり) (victory)
Compare: 終戦(しゅうせん) (end of the war)
general
Added 2026.2.22 23:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12917_haisen