Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| コンペ | konpe | |
| コンクール | konkūru | [kõ̞ŋkɯ̟ːɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| コンテスト | kontesuto |
Japanese uses different loanwords to describe different types of competitions. コンペ is typically used in professional business or design contexts regarding bids, but it is also the common term for a golf competition in leisure settings. コンクール is specialized for high-level music or art competitions. コンテスト refers to general contests like talent shows or photo contests. For a strictly formal or abstract sense of competition, the word kyousou (競争) is used.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends entirely on the field of competition: コンペ is used for business design bids or golf, コンクール is reserved for high-level arts and music and コンテスト is for general contests such as beauty pageants or talent shows.
How do you pronounce it?
konpe
When do people say it?
In Japan, if you are participating in a friendly group event for golf, you would refer to it as a コンペ.
Did you know?
- The word コンクール is derived from the French word 'concours' rather than English.
- The word 競争 (kyousou) implies a race or a struggle for survival, whereas コンテスト implies a judged performance.
- While コンペ is used for professional bids and golf, it is actually a shortened version of the English word 'competition'.
Examples in context
- トムはショパンコンクールで優勝した。Tom won the International Chopin Piano Competition.This sentence shows the use of コンクール in the context of a music competition.Tatoeba #2500709 by tommy_san, translation #2594008 by WestofEden
- ピアノコンクールPiano competitionThis phrase illustrates how to refer to a piano competition using コンクール.
- 彼との競争は激しいです。The competition with him is intense.
- 日本の市場での競争は激しいです。The competition in the Japanese market is fierce.
- 彼との競争は友好的です。The competition with him is friendly.
- 会社内の競争は楽しいです。The competition within the company is enjoyable.
- デザインのコンペに参加します。dezain no konpe ni sankashimasu.I will participate in a design competition.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a project design contest.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、今回のコンペはどうですか？Kenta-san, konkai no konpe wa dou desu ka?Kenta, how is the competition going this time?
- 健太 Kentaかなりいい案ができたと思います。kanari ii an ga dekita to omoimasu.I think I've come up with a pretty good proposal.
- 美咲 Misakiそれは心強いですね。sore wa kokorozuyoi desu ne.That is encouraging.
- 健太 Kentaぜひ優勝したいです。zehi yuushou shitai desu.I really want to win.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “competition” translations and entries コンクール, コンテスト, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries コンクール, コンテスト, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
