Translation and Meaning of: 負け - make

The Japanese word 「負け」 (make) is commonly translated as "defeat" or "loss" and is widely used to describe situations in which someone does not win or fails to achieve a desired goal. It is a word often found in contexts of competitions, sports games, debates, and disputes in general.

Etymologically, 「負け」 (make) is derived from the verb 「負ける」 (makeru), which means "to lose" or "to be defeated." The kanji 「負」 (fu) contains the radical 「貝」, which originally referred to "shell" or "money," and conveyed the idea of burden or debt, serving as a metaphor for defeat, suggesting a sense of pressure or weight after a lost competition.

In the Japanese language, this word also has various variations that adjust to different levels of formality and context. It is common to find the word in expressions like 「負け犬」 (makeinu), which means "loser" or "underdog," carrying a somewhat more pejorative tone. Culturally, recognizing and accepting a 「負け」 (make) can be seen as a demonstration of humility and motivation to improve.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 敗北 (Haiboku) - defeat
• 敗北感 (Haibokukan) - Feeling of defeat
• 敗北感情 (Haibokukanjō) - Feeling of defeat
• 敗北意識 (Haiboku ishiki) - Awareness of Defeat
• 敗北気分 (Haiboku kibun) - State of defeat mindset
• 敗北気持ち (Haiboku kimochi) - Feeling defeated
• 敗北感覚 (Haibokukankaku) - Perception of defeat
• 敗北感じる (Haiboku kanjiru) - Feeling the defeat
• 敗北感じさせる (Haiboku kanjisaseru) - Cause the feeling of defeat

負け

Romaji: make
Kana: まけ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: defeat; loss; Loss (a game)

Meaning in English: defeat;loss;losing (a game)

Definition: Incapacity to win in competitions or games.

Example Sentences - (負け) make

See below some example sentences:

引き分けは勝ちでも負けでもない。

Hikiwake wa kachi demo make demo nai

A draw is neither a victory nor a defeat.

Tie is not winning or losing.

• 引き分け - a tie
• 勝ち - victory
• 負け - defeat
• でも - also
• ない - negation

御負けは勝ちの半分。

Gomake wa kachi no hanbun

Losing is half the winning.

• 御負け - means "defeat" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 勝ち - means "victory" in Japanese
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 半分 - means "half" in Japanese

誘惑に負けない強さを持ちたい。

Yuuyoku ni makenai tsuyosa wo mochitai

I want to have the strength not to give in to temptation.

I want to have a strength as good as temptation.

• 誘惑 (yuuwaku) - temptation
• に (ni) - target particle
• 負けない (makenai) - don't lose
• 強さ (tsuyosa) - strength
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持ちたい (mochitai) - want to have