負け

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 負け is a noun read まけ, derived from 負ける and meaning a loss or defeat in a match or contest.
• Basic usage: It can refer to remembering today's loss while preparing for the next game or an older brother losing a test of strength.
  • 今日の負けを忘れず次の試合に備える。 says that today's loss will be remembered while preparing for the next match; 力比べでは兄の負けだった。 says that the older brother lost the test of strength.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 負けを忘れず
  • ず links preparation for the next match with not forgetting today's defeat.
• 兄の負けだった
  • の identifies the older brother as the person who lost the contest.
• 負け and 勝ち
  • 負け is the result of losing a match or contest, while 勝ち is the result of winning one.