1.
fighting spirit; will to win; desire to prevail in a contest
The mental determination to engage in a contest and fight to win. Strongly associated with sports, martial arts, and games.
勝負心がなければ勝てない。
You can't win without a fighting spirit.
あの選手は勝負心にあふれている。
That athlete is overflowing with the will to win.
大事な試合ほど勝負心を前面に出して戦うべきだ。
The more important the match, the more you should fight with your will to win on full display.
A compound of 勝負 (contest, match) + 心 (heart/spirit). Refers to the determination to engage seriously in competition and fight to win. More action-oriented than 競争心, which is about wanting to outperform others in general. Commonly used in sports commentary.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 勝負心にあふれる: to be full of fighting spirit
- 勝負心を見せる: to show one's will to win
- 勝負心が足りない: to lack fighting spirit
- 勝負心を前面に出す: to put one's fighting spirit front and center
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 競争心: competitive spirit — broader drive to outperform, not limited to a specific contest
- 闘志: fighting spirit — synonym but more literary; often used in written sports coverage
- 根性: guts, grit — emphasizes perseverance and endurance rather than the will to win