試合

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 試合 is a noun read しあい, meaning a match or game in which sides compete under set rules. The action appears as 試合をする.
• Basic usage: It can describe playing against a neighboring school or a game beginning as scheduled after rain stops.
  • 放課後に隣の学校と試合をした。 says that a match was played against a neighboring school after class; 雨がやみ、予定どおり試合が始まった。 says that the rain stopped and the game began as scheduled.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 学校と試合をする
  • と marks the neighboring school as the opposing side in the match.
• 試合が始まる
  • が marks the game as what began according to schedule.
• 試合 and 練習
  • 試合 is an actual contest that decides a result, while 練習 is repeated practice intended to improve skill.