Quick answer
敗 is the kanji for "Defeat". The most common reading is やぶ.れる (yabureru). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.
Meaning
Defeat
Also : Failure · Reversal
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
11 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 敗 represents 'FAILURE'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of failure.
On-reading: はい — remember this sound by associating it with failure. Kun-reading: やぶ.れる.
Example Sentences
一度の敗北で諦めません。
いちどのはいぼくであきらめません。
I won't give up after one defeat.
失敗から学ぶことが大切です。
しっぱいからまなぶことがたいせつです。
It's important to learn from failures.
Vocabulary using 敗
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
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