敗
敗·defeat, be beaten, fail
- On-yomi
- ハイ
- Kun-yomi
- やぶれる
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 失敗 | しっぱい | failure, mistake |
| 敗れる | やぶれる | to be defeated |
| 勝敗 | しょうはい | victory or defeat, the outcome |
| 敗北 | はいぼく | a defeat |
Example sentences
失敗は成功のもとです。
しっぱいはせいこうのもとです。
Failure is the root of success.
決勝で強いチームに敗れました。
けっしょうでつよいチームにやぶれました。
We were beaten by a strong team in the final.
最後まで勝敗が分かりませんでした。
さいごまでしょうはいがわかりませんでした。
The outcome was unclear until the very end.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Writing 破れる (to tear) where 敗れる (to be defeated) is meant — same reading, different kanji
- Reading 勝敗 as *かちまけ; that spelling is 勝ち負け
Memory aid
Picture it
貝 (shell money) with 攵 (a hand striking) — your treasure being smashed is defeat.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 敗 mean?