負けました
makemashita
I lost in Japanese is 負けました (makemashita).
Which one should you use?
負けました is a polite and direct way to say 'I lost' in formal settings. 敗北しました translates to 'I was defeated' and is used in serious or professional situations. 負けた is a simple and common way to express 'I lost' in informal speech. 負けちゃった is an informal and casual way of saying 'I lost.' やられた is used in a lighthearted way to convey 'I got beaten' or 'I lost' during a game or friendly competition. まいりました is a humble way to admit defeat or acknowledge that you lost.
How do you pronounce it?
makemashita
Did you know?
- The phrase 負け犬 literally translates to 'defeated dog' and is used to describe someone who is a complete failure in life.
- Japanese has a specific word 負け惜しみ to describe the psychological act of making excuses or acting grumpy after a loss to save face.
- Using the casual form 負けちゃった when speaking to a superior can make you sound strangely cute or childish due to the nuance of helplessness in the grammar.
Examples in context
- 残念ですが、負けました。zannenn desu ga, makemashita.It is a pity, but I lost.
- また負けました。mata makemashita.I lost again.
- ゲームに負けました。geemu ni makemashita.I lost the game.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota just finished playing a board game.
- 結衣 Yui負けました！陽太くん、すごいね。Makemashita! Yota-kun, sugoi ne.I lost! Yota, you're amazing.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。いい試合だったよ。Arigatou. Ii shiai datta yo.Thanks. It was a good game.
- 結衣 Yuiもう一回やりたいです。Mou ikkai yaritai desu.I want to play one more time.
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ、やろう！Ii yo, yarou!Sure, let's do it!
