Japanese

かなう
Meaning: to match; to equal; to be a match for; to rival
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 敵う 敵わない
Polite 敵います 敵いません
Past 敵った 敵わなかった
Polite + Past 敵いました 敵いませんでした
Te-form 敵って 敵わなくて
Potential 敵える 敵えない
Passive 敵われる 敵われない
Causative 敵わせる 敵わせない
Causative + Passive 敵わされる 敵わされない
Imperative 敵え 敵うな

Handwriting

敵
う

Example

When it comes to tennis, there isn't a single person who can match him.

Usage Notes

Often used in the negative form 'かなわない' to indicate that someone is superior or something is unbeatable. Can also mean to come true or to suit, but the kanji '敵う' specifically highlights matching or rivaling someone.

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