Meaning

Primary

To Compete

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means compete so the verb vocab version means to compete.

Reading

きそう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

You have to compete for kisses (きそ) from that boy/girl you like. Imagine yourself doing this, competing with a rival.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 数を競う

    to compete based on numbers

    スピードを競う

    to compete for speed

    タイムを競う

    to compete for best time

Context Sentences

子どもたちは、新しい先生の所に競うようにかけよった。

The children raced over to the new teacher.

トーフグはユニークすぎて、競う相手がいないんですよ。いわゆる一人勝ちってやつですね。

Tofugu is so unique that there is nobody else to compete with. They are the so-called sole winner.

コウイチとビエトは、年に一度トーフグオフィスで開かれる剣道の大会で、優れた腕前を披露しようと競い合いました。

Koichi and Viet competed with each other to demonstrate their prowess at the annual Kendo competition held in the Tofugu office.

Kanji Composition