Translation and Meaning of: 競争 - kyousou

The Japanese word 競争 [きょうそう] is a fascinating term that carries deep meanings and everyday applications. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding what this word represents can open doors to a better understanding of Japanese culture and mentality. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, usage in sentences, and even how it relates to social values in Japan.

Meaning and Translation of 競争 [きょうそう]

競争 [きょうそう] is a word that can be translated into English as "competition" or "rivalry." It describes a situation where individuals or groups compete against each other to achieve a goal, whether in sports, business, or even in the academic environment. The concept of competition is universal, but in Japan, it takes on specific nuances that reflect the local culture.

It is worth noting that 競争 is not limited to negative contexts. While in some languages the idea of competition may have an aggressive connotation, in Japanese it can also be seen as a means of personal and collective growth. This is reflected in expressions like 健全な競争 (kenzen na kyōsō), which means "healthy competition."

Origin and Composition of Kanji

The word 競争 is composed of two kanji: 競 (kyō) and 争 (sō). The first, 競, has ancient roots and originally represented the idea of "to dispute" or "to compete," often associated with games or contests. On the other hand, the kanji 争 brings the meaning of "conflict" or "fight," but when combined with 競, the sense expands to a more structured competition.

It is interesting to note that both kanjis share the radical 立 (tatsu), which means "to stand" or "to rise." This similarity is not a coincidence, as competition often requires participants to stand out or surpass themselves. This etymological detail can aid in memorizing the word, especially for those who are learning Japanese.

Cultural and Social Use in Japan

In Japan, the idea of 競争 is deeply linked to the concept of effort and meritocracy. From an early age, children are encouraged to strive in school, and many adults view the workplace as a space for constant improvement. However, unlike more individualistic cultures, competition in Japan often has a collective bias, where the group also benefits from individual progress.

A classic example is the university entrance exam, known as 受験戦争 (juken sensō), literally "exam war". This expression reflects the intense competition for spots in prestigious institutions. At the same time, Japan also values social harmony, so competition is often balanced with values such as cooperation and mutual respect.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 競争戦 (きょうそうせん) - Competition in the form of a battle or duel.
• 競合 (きょうごう) - Conflict or competition between parties, such as companies or products.
• 競技 (きょうぎ) - Sports competition, often at an organized event.
• 競り合い (せりあい) - Conflict or direct dispute, usually in the context of auction or intense competition.
• 競り合う (せりあう) - Action of competing or disputing, with a focus on rivalry.
• 競り合わせる (せりあわせる) - Create a competition or confrontation between two parties.
• 競り合わす (せりあわす) - Force a dispute or competition between individuals or groups.
• 競り合って (せりあって) - To be actively involved in competition or disputes.
• 競り合いをする (せりあいをする) - Participate in a contest or competition.
• 競り合いに勝つ (せりあいにかつ) - To win in a dispute or competition.
• 競り合いに負ける (せりあいにまける) - Lose in a dispute or competition.
• 競り合いに挑む (せりあいにいどむ) - Challenge or enter into a dispute.
• 競り合いに参加する (せりあいにさんかする) - Actively participate in a competition.
• 競り合いを制する (せりあいをせいする) - To dominate or control a dispute.
• 競り合いを決する (せりあいをけっする) - Deciding the outcome of a dispute.
• 競り合いを続ける (せりあいをつづける) - Continue a dispute or competition.
• 競り合いを繰り広げる (せりあいをくりひろげる) - Develop or intensify a dispute.
• 競り合いを重ねる (せりあいをかさねる) - Increase the frequency of disputes or competitions.
• 競り合いを交わす (せりあいをかわす) - Replace or engage in disputes.
• 競り合いを展開する (せりあいをてんかいする) - Expand or enlarge the dispute.

競争

Romaji: kyousou
Kana: きょうそう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: competition; contest

Meaning in English: competition;contest

Definition: Trying to prove one's own superiority through comparison and conflict with others.

Example Sentences - (競争) kyousou

See below some example sentences:

対抗することは競争を促進する。

Taikou suru koto wa kyousou wo sokushin suru

The competition is promoted by the opposition.

Competition promotes competition.

• 対抗すること - means "to compete" or "to confront".
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 競争を - means "competition".
• 促進する - means "to promote" or "to stimulate".

競争は健全な発展の源である。

Kyousou wa kenzen na hatten no minamoto de aru

Competition is the healthy source of development.

Competition is a source of healthy development.

• 競争 (kyōsō) - competition
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 健全 (kenzen) - healthy, whole
• な (na) - particle that indicates the characteristic of the adjective that follows it
• 発展 (hatten) - development
• の (no) - particle indicating the relationship of possession or attribution
• 源 (gen) - source, origin
• である (dearu) - verb to be, to stay

彼は競争相手を凌ぐ力を持っている。

Kare wa kyōsō aite o shinogu chikara o motte iru

He has the power to surpass his competitors.

He has the power to surpass competitors.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 競争 - Japanese noun that means "competition"
• 相手 - Japanese noun that means "opponent" or "adversary."
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 凌ぐ - Japanese verb that means "to overcome" or "to surpass."
• 力 - Japanese noun that means "strength" or "power."
• 持っている - a Japanese verb that means "to have" or "to possess"