Japanese

ける

まける
Meaning: to lose; to be defeated; to yield; to discount
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 負ける 負けない
Polite 負けます 負けません
Past 負けた 負けなかった
Polite + Past 負けました 負けませんでした
Te-form 負けて 負けなくて
Potential 負けられる 負けられない
Passive 負けられる 負けられない
Causative 負けさせる 負けさせない
Imperative 負けろ 負けるな

Handwriting

負
け
る

Example sentences

We fought without giving up until the end, but we lost the match.
雨にも負けない
Won't lose even to rain.
まさか彼が負けるとは思わなかった。
I never dreamed that he would lose.
期待が大きかっただけに、負けた時の悔しさは格別だった。
Because expectations were high, the regret when losing was exceptional.
あと少しのところで負けて、本当に悔しい。
I felt so frustrated losing by just a little bit.
彼はわざと負けたふりをした。
He pretended to lose on purpose.
あと一歩のところで負けてしまい、本当に惜しかった。
We lost just one step away from victory; it was a real pity.
昨日のサッカーの試合は接戦の末に負けてしまった。
Yesterday's soccer match was a close game that we ended up losing.
こいつらには負けられない。
I can't afford to lose to these guys.
くそっ、また負けた!
Damn, I lost again!

Usage Notes

Commonly used for losing a game or conflict. It can also mean giving in to temptation or discounting a price.

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