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9 strokes
Frequency: 443
JLPT N2
Grade 3

Meanings

defeat
negative
-
minus
bear
owe
assume a responsibility

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
ま.ける
ま.かす
お.う

Common Words

敗ける
ける
敗北る
Ichidan verb
Freq #637
1

Intransitive verb

to lose; to be defeated

Examples
3対0で彼には負けています
He's beating me, three to zip.
2

負ける only; Intransitive verb

to succumb; to give in; to surrender; to yield

3

負ける only; Intransitive verb

to be inferior to

4

負ける only; Intransitive verb

to break out in a rash due to (e.g. lacquer, shaving, etc.)

5

負ける only; Transitive verb

to reduce the price; to give a discount; to throw in (something extra) for free

ょうぶ
Noun
Freq #1471
1

victory or defeat

Examples
ゆっくりでも着実にやってゆけば勝負には勝つ。
Slow and steady wins the race.
2

Noun or participle which takes the aux. verb suru; Intransitive verb

match; contest; game; bout

Examples
ボブはスケートではきみといい勝負だ。
Bob is a good match for you in skating.
ょう
Godan verb
Freq #1833
1

Transitive verb

to carry on one's back

Examples
彼女は背中にリュックサックを背おっている
She is carrying a backpack on her back.
2

Transitive verb

to be burdened with; to take responsibility for

3

Transitive verb

to have (something) in the background; to be in front (of something)

4

しょう only; Intransitive verb; In the form しょってる

to be conceited; to think highly of oneself

Transitive
Godan verb
Freq #2460
1

to carry on one's back; to bear; to shoulder

Examples
負うた子に教えられて浅瀬を渡る。
A child on your back may guide you across a ford.
2

to take (responsibility); to assume; to accept; to bear (the blame, costs, etc.); to have (a duty, obligation, etc.); to become responsible for; to be burdened with (work, debt, etc.)

Examples
これについては私がすべて責任を負います
I will accept full responsibility for this.
3

to suffer (an injury); to sustain (a wound); to receive; to incur (a loss, damage, etc.)

Examples
彼は致命傷を負った
He suffered a fatal wound.
4

As ...に負う

to owe (a debt of gratitude to); to be indebted to

Examples
わずかながら私の受けた指導を私は若者に負っている
What little guidance I had I owe to a young man.
5

to have (something) behind one; to be backed by

たん
Noun
Freq #2881
1

burden; load; responsibility

Examples
彼は、両親の負担になった。
He was a burden to his parents.
2

Noun or participle which takes the aux. verb suru; Transitive verb

bearing (a cost, responsibility, etc.); shouldering

Freq #3645
1

Common noun

defeat; loss; losing (a game)

Examples
どっちに転んでも君の負けだよ。
Either way, you lose.
2

Suffix

failing to live up to (one's name, looks, etc.)

3

Common noun

discount; loss (on a sale)

お負けに
御負けに
Expression
Usually kana
Freq #3991
1

Conjunction

to make matters worse; besides; what's more; in addition; on top of that

Examples
おまけに雨まで降っていた。
On top of that, it was raining.
しょう
~する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
Transitive
Freq #6677
1

injury; wound

Examples
彼はその事故で負傷した。
He was injured in the accident.
~する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
Freq #7665
1

pride; self-confidence; thinking highly of oneself; being proud of one's abilities or achievements

Examples
彼は経済にかけては誰にも負けないと自負している。
He flatters himself that he is second to none in finance.
Noun
~の Adj.
Freq #7933
1

negative; minus

Examples
あ、あれ?なんか・・・すっごいのオーラを感じますよ?
E-eh? I somehow seem to feel a very threatening aura...

Memory Mnemonics

Keywords

The core concepts or meanings associated with this specific kanji.

defeat

Constituents

The visual building blocks used to craft this character's story.

animal legs
bound up
eight
eye
clam
oyster
shellfish

Mnemonic Stories

After being bound up with rubber bands, the shellfish (lobster) had to accept defeat.

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