熱戦(ねっせん)

ねっせん
noun
fierce match; heated contest; close game; exciting battle
1. fierce match; heated contest; close game; exciting battle
A competition in which both sides are evenly matched and give their all, creating an exciting and closely fought contest, typically used in sports contexts.
両(りょう)チームの熱戦(ねっせん)が繰(く)り広(ひろ)げられた。
A fierce match unfolded between the two teams.
決勝(けっしょう)は手(て)に汗(あせ)握(にぎ)る熱戦(ねっせん)だった。
The final was an edge-of-your-seat heated contest.
オリンピックでは各国(かっこく)の選手(せんしゅ)たちが熱戦(ねっせん)を繰(く)り広(ひろ)げ、会場(かいじょう)は大(おお)いに盛(も)り上(あ)がった。
Athletes from various countries fought fierce contests at the Olympics, and the venue was buzzing with excitement.

A compound of 熱(ねつ) (heat, passion) and 戦(せん) (battle, match), describing a contest that is exciting, closely fought, and full of passionate effort from both sides. Primarily used in sports and competitive contexts.

USAGE:

  • Most commonly appears in sports reporting and commentary
  • Implies both sides are evenly matched and giving their all
  • 熱戦(ねっせん)を繰(く)り広(ひろ)げる is the most characteristic collocation

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 熱戦(ねっせん)を繰(く)り広(ひろ)げる: to fight a fierce match
  • 手(て)に汗(あせ)握(にぎ)る熱戦(ねっせん): a nail-biting contest
  • 熱戦(ねっせん)の末(すえ): after a fierce battle
  • 熱戦(ねっせん)が展開(てんかい)される: a heated contest unfolds

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 激戦(げきせん): fierce battle — can be used for actual warfare as well as sports; emphasizes intensity
  • 接戦(せっせん): close game — emphasizes the narrow margin rather than the excitement
  • 好{勝負(しょうぶ): good match — similar meaning but focuses on the quality of competition
  • 死闘(しとう): fight to the death — much more dramatic and extreme
general
Added 2026.4.2 21:51
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