Meaning
The kanji 敗 (はい, やぶ.れる) primarily signifies defeat, failure, being beaten, suffering a loss, or even ruin. It's a fundamental character in Japanese, expressing the opposite of victory or success. You'll often see it in contexts related to competition, warfare, or even the deterioration of objects or plans. Understanding 敗 is essential for grasping its many uses in Japanese, whether in sports, business, or personal endeavors.
The character 敗 is composed of two main parts: 貝 (かい - kai), which typically means "shell" but here acts as a phonetic component, and 攵 (ぼくづくり - bokuzukuri), a variant of 攴 (ぼく - boku), meaning "rap" or "strike." Historically, the 貝 radical could also be associated with valuables or property. This combination suggests the idea of "striking down" or "destroying" one's assets, leading to a state of ruin or defeat. Over time, its meaning evolved to broadly encompass any form of loss or failure.
Visually, the character suggests something 'broken' or 'lost' due to an external force or adverse event. The radical 攵 signifies an action of striking or attacking, indicating the active nature of defeat or the process of something being overcome. This etymological insight reinforces the core meaning of failure and ruin that 敗 embodies.
The kanji 敗 has 11 strokes and is considered a Grade 4 kanji, meaning it is typically taught in the fourth year of elementary school in Japan. Although introduced in elementary school (Grade 4), its usage extends to complex vocabulary at the JLPT N2 level, encompassing various nuances of setback and collapse.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 敗 is ハイ (hai).
ハイ (hai): This reading is used in most compound words where 敗 signifies defeat, failure, or loss in a general sense. It often appears in formal or technical terms.
敗北 (haiboku) — Defeat, setback. This compound specifically denotes being defeated, often in battle or competition.
失敗 (shippai) — Failure, mistake, blunder. This is a very common word indicating a general failure or error in an attempt.
敗戦 (haisen) — Defeat in war, lost battle. This term is used to describe the losing side of a war or a battle.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading) for 敗 is やぶ.れる (yabu.reru).
やぶ.れる (yabu.reru): This is the intransitive verb form, meaning "to be defeated," "to be beaten," or "to lose." It describes the state of having lost or failed.
試合に敗れる (shiai ni yabureru) — To lose a match. This phrase specifically means to be defeated in a game or competition.
計画が敗れる (keikaku ga yabureru) — A plan falls through/fails. This indicates that a plan or project has not succeeded.
敵に敗れる (teki ni yabureru) — To be defeated by the enemy. This is a classic expression of military or competitive defeat.
Common Words & Compounds
Below are various words and compounds using 敗, grouped by theme to aid understanding.
General Failure and Defeat
- 失敗 (shippai) — Failure, mistake, blunder.
- 敗北 (haiboku) — Defeat, setback.
- 敗因 (haiin) — Cause of failure/defeat.
- 敗者 (haisha) — Loser, defeated person.
- 敗退 (haitai) — Being defeated and eliminated (e.g., from a tournament).
Warfare and Competition
- 敗戦 (haisen) — Defeat in war, lost battle.
- 全敗 (zenpai) — Complete defeat, losing every game/match.
- 連敗 (renpai) — Consecutive defeats, losing streak.
- 不敗 (fuhai) — Invincible, undefeated. (The opposite of 敗)
Deterioration and Ruin
- 腐敗 (fuhai) — Decomposition, decay, corruption (e.g., of food or morals).
- 疲弊 (hihai) — Exhaustion, impoverishment, depletion. While not directly "defeat," it relates to a state of being worn out or ruined.
Example Sentences
彼は試合に敗れたが、次は勝つと誓った。
Kare wa shiai ni yabureta ga, tsugi wa katsu to chikatta.
He lost the match, but he vowed to win next time.
何度も失敗しても、諦めずに挑戦し続けることが大切だ。
Nando mo shippai shite mo, akiramezu ni chōsen shi tsuzukeru koto ga taisetsu da.
Even if you fail many times, it's important to keep challenging without giving up.
その会社は競争に敗れて、市場から撤退した。
Sono kaisha wa kyōsō ni yaburete, shijō kara tettai shita.
That company lost in the competition and withdrew from the market.
度重なる敗戦により、国民の士気は低下した。
Tabikasanaru haisen ni yori, kokumin no shiki wa teika shita.
Due to repeated defeats in war, national morale declined.
完璧な計画に見えたが、思わぬ原因で失敗に終わった。
Kanpeki na keikaku ni mieta ga, omowanu gen'in de shippai ni owatta.
It looked like a perfect plan, but it ended in failure due to an unexpected cause.
彼らのチームは連敗を止めることができず、順位を落とした。
Karera no chīmu wa renpai o tomeru koto ga dekizu, jun'i o otoshita.
Their team couldn't stop their losing streak and dropped in the standings.
政治家の腐敗は、社会全体に悪影響を及ぼす。
Seijika no fuhai wa, shakai zentai ni akueikyō o oyobosu.
The corruption of politicians has a negative impact on society as a whole.
どんなに強い敵でも、いつかは敗れる時が来る。
Donna ni tsuyoi teki demo, itsuka wa yabureru toki ga kuru.
No matter how strong the enemy, the time will come when they are defeated.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 敗 (defeat, failure), consider its components: 貝 (shell/property) and 攵 (strike). Imagine having a precious shell, perhaps a symbol of your wealth or success. Suddenly, someone or something "strikes" (攵) your valuable "shell" (貝), causing it to break and scatter. This act leads to a feeling of defeat and the loss of your precious item, representing "failure" or "ruin." Another way to visualize it is a warrior who has lost their treasured battle standard (symbolized by 貝) after being struck down (もちろん) in battle, resulting in their defeat. This vivid image of striking down something valuable, leading to loss, helps firmly establish the meaning of 敗.