η«Ά

JLPT N3

compete

Readings

On’yomi: キョウ, γ‚±γ‚€ (kyō , kei)
Kun’yomi: きそ(う), せ(γ‚‹) (kiso(u), se(ru))
β€’ きそう – to compete, to vie β€’ せる – to compete (archaic), to bid against (still used in auctions)

Vocabulary

η«ΆδΊ‰
きょうそう
competition
η«ΆζŠ€
γγ‚‡γ†γŽ
match
竢馬
けいば
horse race
竢合
きょうごう
rivalry
η«Άε£²
きょうばい
auction

Example Sentences

竢争します。
きょうそう します。
I compete.
η«ΆζŠ€γ§γ™γ€‚
γγ‚‡γ†γŽ です。
It is a match.
竢馬です。
けいば です。
It is horse racing.
η«Άεˆγ—γΎγ™γ€‚
きょうごう します。
It is rivalry.
竢売です。
きょうばい です。
It is an auction.

Cultural Note

In Japanese culture, competition exists, but harmony is also valued.
Thus, η«Ά often appears in expressions balancing rivalry with effort and respect:
β€’ η«Άγ„εˆγ†οΌˆγγγ„γ‚γ†οΌ‰ – compete with each other (mutual effort, not hostility)
β€’ η«ΆζŠ€δΌšοΌˆγγ‚‡γ†γŽγ‹γ„οΌ‰ – sports meets in schools
β€’ η«ΆδΊ‰η€ΎδΌšοΌˆγγ‚‡γ†γγ†γ—γ‚ƒγ‹γ„οΌ‰ – competitive society (often discussed in education and work culture)
Additionally, sports festivals (ι‹ε‹•δΌš) in schools emphasize friendly competition, teamwork, and unity β€” a mix of rivalry and cooperation.