1.
to rival; to be comparable to; to match
To be equal or comparable in quality, scale, or ability to something else. Typically used with に to indicate what is being matched.
彼に匹敵する選手はいない。
There is no player who can rival him.
この作品は名作に匹敵する出来だ。
This work is of a quality that rivals the masterpieces.
東京の人口に匹敵する規模の都市は、世界でもそう多くない。
There are not many cities in the world on a scale comparable to Tokyo's population.
USAGE NOTES:
匹敵 is a する-verb that takes the particle に to mark what is being rivaled or matched. It implies the comparison is at a high level and carries a tone of respect or acknowledgment.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- AはBに匹敵する (A rivals B / A is comparable to B)
- Bに匹敵するA (A that rivals B)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 実力に匹敵する (rival in ability)
- プロに匹敵する (comparable to a professional)
- 過去の記録に匹敵する (match past records)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 対抗する emphasizes active competition or opposition
- 匹敵する emphasizes being on the same level, without implying direct conflict