チェックメイト
chekkumeito[t͡ɕe̞k̚kɯ̟me̞ːto̞]
The English phrase checkmate is expressed in Japanese as チェックメイト (chekkumeito) or 詰み.
Meaning: said when making the conclusive move in chess (intj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| チェックメイト | chekkumeito | [t͡ɕe̞k̚kɯ̟me̞ːto̞] (narrow) |
| 詰み | tsumi |
Both terms refer to the moment a game of chess is concluded with a decisive move. チェックメイト is used to say checkmate during a game, and both チェックメイト and 詰み can function as nouns meaning a conclusive victory in chess.
Which one should you use?
The katakana form チェックメイト is a direct loanword from English and is commonly used in modern chess contexts. In contrast, 詰み is a native Japanese term used to describe a checkmate state, often used in the context of Shogi or more formal Japanese chess discussions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of putting an opponent into checkmate, the verb form チェックメート can be used.
How do you pronounce it?
chekkumeito
Did you know?
- The term 詰み is often used metaphorically in Japanese business or politics to describe a 'dead end' or a situation where someone has no moves left to make.
- While 詰み describes the state of being checkmated, the word 詰める literally means 'to pack' or 'to cram', suggesting the king has been squeezed into a space with no exit.
- In some Japanese manga and anime, characters use 詰み as a dramatic declaration of an inevitable victory in non-game psychological battles.
Examples in context
- チェックメイト！Checkmate!This example is useful for hearing how to declare チェックメイト when finishing a game.Tatoeba #12353871 by YumaSalty, translation #611140 by kebukebu
- チェックメイトです。chekku meito desu.It is checkmate.
- これでチェックメイトだよ。kore de chekku meito da yo.With this, it's checkmate.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are playing a game of chess in a cafe.
- 健太 Kentaチェックメイト！chekku meito!Checkmate!
- 美咲 Misakiあ、負けちゃった。a, makechatta.Ah, I lost.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんは強かったよ。misaki-san wa tsuyokatta yo.You were strong, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki次は絶対に勝つね。tsugi wa zettai ni katsu ne.I will definitely win next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “checkmate” translations and entries チェックメイト, 詰み, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
