Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Match" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "match", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
試合
しあい (shiai)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
一致する
いっちする (icchi suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "match" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 試合 and 一致する.
In Japanese, 試合 (しあい (shiai)) is typically associated with "match, game, contest" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used for competitive events in sports or games where individuals or teams compete against each other..
On the other hand, 一致する (いっちする (icchi suru)) maps to "to match; to agree; to coincide" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used to describe when two or more things. A literal translation of "match" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "試合"
テレビでサッカーの試合を見ました。
I watched a soccer match on TV.
Bilingual Context for "一致する"
彼の意見と私の意見は完全に一致した。
His opinion and my opinion completely coincided.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "テレビでサッカーの ＿＿＿ を見ました。" (Meaning: "I watched a soccer match on TV.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "試合" fits here because it means "match, game, contest" in the context of: "I watched a soccer match on TV.". "一致する" represents "to match; to agree; to coincide".