負かす

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 負かす is read as まかす and is a transitive verb meaning to defeat or beat an opponent.
• Basic usage: Mark the defeated person with を, as in 兄を負かす and 強い相手を負かす.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Direction versus 負ける
  • 負かす means that the subject defeats someone, whereas 負ける means that the subject loses.
• Contest setting
  • Phrases such as 将棋で and 次の試合では establish the game or match in which the defeat occurs.