負
負·lose, bear, owe
- On-yomi
- フ
- Kun-yomi
- まけるまかすおう
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 負ける | まける | to lose, to be beaten |
| 負かす | まかす | to defeat someone |
| 負担 | ふたん | burden, load |
| 勝負 | しょうぶ | a match, a contest |
Example sentences
試合に三対一で負けました。
しあいにさんたいいちでまけました。
We lost the match three to one.
家族の負担を減らしたいです。
かぞくのふたんをへらしたいです。
I want to lighten the burden on my family.
最後の勝負で彼が勝った。
さいごのしょうぶでかれがかった。
He won in the final round.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Getting the particle backwards — the loser says 〜に負ける, marking the winner with に
- Reading 負担 as *まけたん instead of ふたん
Memory aid
Picture it
A person bending over 貝 (money) — shouldering a debt you carry, and lose under.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 負けまけdefeat
- 負けるまけるto lose, be defeated
- 勝負しょうぶmatch, contest
- 負傷するふしょうするto be injured
- 手に負えないてにおえないunmanageable; out of hand
- 背負うせおうto carry on one's back, to be burdened with
- 負債ふさいdebt, liabilities
- 環境負荷かんきょうふかenvironmental impact
- 負うおうto bear (a burden, responsibility); to suffer (an injury); to owe (a debt, a debt of gratitude)
- 負傷ふしょうinjury; being wounded
- 負担ふたんburden; load; bearing (a cost); responsibility
- 負かすまかすto defeat; to beat (an opponent)
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 負 mean?