負ける

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 負ける is read as まける and is an ichidan intransitive verb meaning to lose or be defeated in a game, match, or competition.
• Basic usage: The opponent or contest can take に, as in ゲームに負ける, while で can mark the event or stage where the loss occurs.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Particles for opponent and event
  • に marks what or whom one loses to, while で can locate the defeat in a final or other contest.
• Contrast with 負かす
  • 負ける describes the subject losing; transitive 負かす means defeating an opponent.