試合
shiai[ɕia̠i]
The English word 'match' translates to Japanese as 試合 (shiai).
試合 is typically used for organized sports competitions, such as soccer, baseball or tennis matches.
Meaning: a pair of items or entities with mutually suitable characteristics (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 試合 refers to a competitive match or game, it is not used for a 'match' in the sense of a fire-starting stick (which is マッチ) or a 'match' in the sense of a romantic pairing (which is ペア or 組み合わせ).
How do you pronounce it?
shiai
Did you know?
- In Japanese sports culture, players often perform 礼 (rei) or bows before and after a 試合. This tradition persists even in modern sports like judo or kendo to show respect to the opponent.
- The word 試合 is built from two verbs meaning 'to do' and 'to fit together'. This implies that a match is not just a game but a process of testing two sides against one another to see who is the better fit.
- Japanese uses the term 接戦 (sessen), meaning 'close battle', to describe a match where the score is very tight. This word uses the character for 'contact' and 'war', emphasizing the intensity of the match.
Examples in context
- 試合は終了です。The match is over.This sentence is useful for stating that the 試合 is over.Tatoeba #9183237 by small_snow, translation #9183162 by CK
- 試合は楽しかった？Did you enjoy the match?This sentence is useful for asking if someone enjoyed the 試合.Tatoeba #11588952 by small_snow, translation #10055309 by Cabo
- 試合解説者は誰ですか？Who is the match commentator?This sentence is useful for asking who the 試合 commentator is.Tatoeba #11524869 by small_snow, translation #11038841 by sundown
- 私たちの意見は完全に合致している。Our opinions are in complete agreement.
- 彼とは音楽の趣味が一致している。Our music preferences match.
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a sports game.
- 大翔 Hiroto明日の試合はどこでありますか？Ashita no shiai wa doko de arimasu ka?Where is tomorrow's match taking place?
- 陽葵 Himari市役所の近くの公園ですよ。Shiyakusho no chikaku no kouen desu yo.It's at the park near city hall.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですね。試合を応援に行きます。Ii desu ne. Shiai o ouen ni ikimasu.That's great. I'll go to cheer for the match.
- 陽葵 Himari一緒に応援しましょう！Issho ni ouen shimashou!Let's cheer together!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 試合, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 試合, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
