負ける
makeru[ma̠ke̞ɾɯ̟]
In Japanese, the phrase 'to lose' is expressed as 負ける (makeru).
The verb 負ける is intransitive, meaning it describes the state of being defeated. For a transitive verb meaning to lose or drop something, the word 落とす is used. To describe someone who is a habitual loser, the idiomatic expression 負け犬 is used, which literally translates to 'loser dog'.
Meaning: (intransitive) be defeated (verb)
Which one should you use?
While English 'to lose' can be transitive (to lose a game), 負ける is an intransitive verb used to describe the state of being defeated.
How does it change in a sentence?
The negative form (to not lose) is 負けない, and the past tense is まけた. To use the verb as a conjunction or to show a sequence of actions, use the te-form まけて. If you want to express that someone is currently in the process of losing, such as during a match, use the continuous form 負けている.
How do you pronounce it?
makeru
Did you know?
- In a shopping context, まけて is used to ask a merchant for a discount, essentially asking them to 'lose' or concede a bit of the price.
- In Classical Japanese, the verb 負ける followed a rare conjugation pattern called 'shimo nidan', which has since disappeared from the modern language.
- In Japanese martial arts, admitting defeat is often framed as a spiritual or mental 'loss' rather than just a failure of technique.
Examples in context
- 負けるのが大嫌いなの。I really don't like to lose.This sentence is useful for expressing a strong dislike of losing with 負ける.Tatoeba #10040601 by small_snow, translation #9993029 by CK
- 君が負けるとは夢にも思わなかった。Never did I dream that you would lose.This sentence shows how to express disbelief about someone losing using 負ける.Tatoeba #178878 by Kaede, translation #17732 by Zifre
- 勝つものもいれば、負けるものもいる。Some will gain, others will lose.This sentence illustrates the contrast between those who win and those who use 負ける.Tatoeba #147194 by small_snow, translation #267367 by AlanF_US
- 彼は試合に負けました。He lost the game.
- プロジェクトの契約を落としてしまった。We lost the project contract.
- 我々は困難に直面し、敗北せざるを得なかった。We faced difficulties and had no choice but to accept defeat.
- ゲームで負けちゃった。I lost the game.
- あのチームに負けた。We lost against that team.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a game they just played.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔、今回は私が勝ったね！Hiroto, konkai wa watashi ga katta ne!Hiroto, I won this time!
- 大翔 Hiroto悔しいな。まさか負けるとは思わなかったよ。Kuyashii na. Masaka makeru to wa omowanakatta yo.That's frustrating. I didn't think I would lose.
- 陽葵 Himariもう一回やってみる？Mō ikkai yatte miru?Do you want to try one more time?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、次は絶対に負けないからね。Un, tsugi wa zettai ni makenai kara ne.Yeah, I definitely won't lose next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lose” translations and entries 負ける, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 負ける, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
