あいこ
あいこ
noun
tie; draw; even
1.
tie; draw; even
A result where neither side wins, particularly in games like rock-paper-scissors. Can also be used figuratively to mean being even or quits.
あいこでしょ！
It's a tie! (Let's go again!)
じゃんけんで三回連続あいこになった。
We tied three times in a row at rock-paper-scissors.
お互いに一回ずつ勝ったから、これであいこだね。
We each won once, so we're even now.
Most commonly heard in the context of じゃんけん (rock-paper-scissors). When both players choose the same hand, the result is あいこ, and players chant あいこでしょ！ before throwing again.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- あいこでしょ: it's a tie (chant in rock-paper-scissors)
- あいこになる: to end in a tie
- これであいこだ: now we're even
USAGE NOTE:
Beyond games, あいこ can mean "we're even" or "quits" in everyday situations — for example, after exchanging favors. The word can also be written as 相子, though the hiragana form is more common.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 引き分け: draw, tie — used in sports and formal competitions
- 同点: tied score — specifically about numerical scores in sports