負け犬
makeinu[ma̠ke̞ːnɯ̟]
The Japanese word for loser is 負け犬 (makeinu).
負け犬 is used to describe a person who fails to win.
Meaning: person who fails to win (noun)
Which one should you use?
負け犬 is used to insult someone's character or status. In contrast, if you want to neutrally refer to the person who lost a specific game or competition, use 敗者.
How do you pronounce it?
makeinu
Did you know?
- The word 負け犬 literally translates to 'losing dog'.
- While 負け犬 describes a general loser, the term 負け組 (make-gumi) is used specifically to describe a 'losing group' of people, often referring to those who married into lower social status or have lower incomes.
- In anime and manga, a character who is a 負け犬 is often depicted as the 'underdog' who eventually finds strength, twisting the insult into a trope of resilience.
Examples in context
- トムは私のことを負け犬だと思っている。Tom thinks I'm a loser.This sentence shows how 負け犬 can be used to describe how someone perceives another person.Tatoeba #3594821 by arnab, translation #3183917 by CK
- 彼は失敗者です。He is a failure.
- あのやつはいつも逃げるから腰抜けだよ。That guy always runs away, what a wimp.
- 彼は自分を負け犬だと感じている。Kare wa jibun o makeinu da to kanjite iru.He feels like a loser.
- 負け犬の烙印を押されるのは嫌だ。Makeinu no rakuin o osareru no wa iya da.I hate being branded a loser.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about a game they played.
- 美咲 Misakiまた私が勝ったね。mata watashi ga katta ne.I won again, didn't I?
- 蓮 Ren本当に悔しいよ。hontou ni kuyashii yo.I'm really frustrated.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮は負け犬ね。Ren wa makeinu ne.Ren, you're such a loser.
- 蓮 Ren次は絶対に勝つから！tsugi wa zettai ni katsu kara!I'll definitely win next time!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 負け犬, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 負け犬, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
