激戦

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 激戦, read げきせん, means a very fierce battle or contest.
• Basic usage: It is used both for an intense final match and for combat experienced by a soldier.
  • 決勝戦は最後まで勝敗の分からない激戦となった。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Intensity and closeness of the result
  • 激戦 emphasizes the intensity of a battle or contest. 接戦 focuses on a closely contested result, with evenly matched opponents or a small score difference.