敵
teki[te̞kʲi]
The English phrase 'enemy' is translated into Japanese as 敵 (teki). If unsure, use 敵. Wiktionary also lists 仇敵 (kyūteki).
Meaning: someone who is hostile to, feels hatred towards, opposes the interests of, or intends injury to someone else (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 敵 | teki | [te̞kʲi] (narrow) [ka̠ta̠kʲi] (narrow) |
| 仇敵 | kyūteki |
敵 refers to someone or something that is hostile, opposes your interests or intends to cause harm. It can be used for literal combatants in a conflict or metaphorically to describe abstract concepts, such as viewing one's own weaknesses or bad habits as an 敵. To describe the actual act of being hostile or in opposition toward someone or something, the verb form 敵対する is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 敵 is composed of the kanji for 'enemy' or 'adversary'.
Which one should you use?
While 敵 is the general term for an enemy, 仇敵 is used specifically to refer to a mortal enemy or a long-standing arch-enemy.
How do you pronounce it?
teki
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 敵 can be used to describe a 'match' or a 'worthy opponent', as in the phrase 敵なし, meaning 'no equal' or 'unbeatable'.
- In the Heian Kyoto pitch accent, the first two morae of 敵 are related to 片, meaning 'one of a pair'.
- While 敵 refers to an enemy, the term 仇 (read as 'ada' in this context) specifically refers to an enemy from whom one must take revenge.
Examples in context
- 敵に塩を送る。I'll help an enemy instead of capitalizing on their distress.This sentence illustrates the expression of helping an enemy during their time of need using 敵.Tatoeba #75859 by wakatyann630, translation #11210909 by hcougar
- 怒りは敵と思え。Hatred is our enemy.This sentence uses 敵 to describe hatred as a conceptual adversary.Tatoeba #124416 by KK_kaku_, translation #279578 by CM
- 彼女は私の敵よ。She's my enemy.This sentence uses 敵 to identify a person as an enemy.Tatoeba #9415429 by small_snow, translation #9359632 by DJ_Saidez
- 敵は私たちの計画を妨害しようとしています。The enemy is trying to sabotage our plans.
- 今度の対戦相手は私の宿敵だ。The opponent in the next match is my longtime enemy.
- あいつは俺のライバルだから気をつけないと。I need to be careful because he's my rival.
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about a rival team in a sports tournament.
- 陽葵 Himariあのチームは私たちの最大の敵だよ。Ano chiimu wa watashitachi no saidai no teki da yo.That team is our greatest enemy.
- 蓮 Ren負けるわけにはいかないね。Makeru wake ni wa ikanai ne.We can't afford to lose.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くん、絶対に勝とうね。Ren-kun, zettai ni katou ne.Ren, let's definitely win.
- 蓮 Renああ、全力で頑張るよ。Aa, zenryoku de ganbaru yo.Yeah, I'll give it my all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “enemy” translations and entries 敵, 仇敵, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 敵, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
