決勝

• Reading: けっしょう
• Romaji: kesshou
• Kanji breakdown: 決 (ketsu) — decide, determine; 勝 (shō) — win, victory
• Pronunciation: /keɕ.ɕoː/

Meaning

The finals; the final round or match that decides the winner of a competition.

Used in sports and competitions to refer to the final match or round that determines the champion. Common compounds include 決勝戦 (final match), 決勝進出 (advancing to the finals), and 準決勝 (semifinals). Frequently heard in sports broadcasts and tournament coverage.

Examples

1. チームが決勝に進出して大いに盛り上がった。 The team advanced to the finals and excitement was at a fever pitch.
2. 決勝戦は来週の日曜日に行われる予定だ。 The final match is scheduled to take place next Sunday.
3. 準決勝で負けて決勝には進めなかった。 We lost in the semifinals and couldn't advance to the finals.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, competitions, tournaments

Tone: excited

Origin & History

Compound of 決 (decide, determine) + 勝 (win, victory). Literally 'deciding the victory,' the match that determines who wins.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal