Understanding ～敗
The suffix ～敗 (はい) is used as a counter to indicate the number of losses or defeats, especially in sports, games, or competitions. It attaches to a number to express how many times someone or a team has lost.
Usage and Context
This counter is commonly used in contexts like match records, tournament results, or any competitive setting where wins and losses are tracked. It is often paired with 勝 (しょう) which counts wins.
Common Collocations
- 三敗 (さんぱい): three losses
- 一敗 (いっぱい): one loss
- 五敗 (ごはい): five losses
Register and Politeness
～敗 is neutral and commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese, especially in sports commentary, news, and casual conversation about game results.
Tips for Learners
Do not confuse ～敗 with ～敗北 (はいぼく), which is a noun meaning "defeat" in a more formal or literary sense. ～敗 is specifically a counter suffix and always follows a number. Remember to use the correct reading of the number combined with はい, as some numbers cause sound changes (e.g., 一敗 is いっぱい, not いちはい).