惜敗

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 惜敗（せきはい） means losing narrowly.
• Basic usage: Use it for a defeat after a close contest or a loss by a single point.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A close loss versus a close win
  • 惜敗した means losing by a narrow margin.
  • 辛勝した means winning by a narrow margin.