コンテスト

• Reading: コンテスト
• Romaji: kontesuto
• Pronunciation: /ko.n.te.sɯ.to/

Meaning

Contest; competition. An organised event where people compete for prizes or recognition.

A katakana loanword from English 'contest.' Used for various types of competitions: 写真コンテスト (photo contest), 料理コンテスト (cooking contest), ミスコンテスト (beauty contest). More specific than 大会 (taikai, tournament) and often implies creative or talent-based competitions rather than sports.

Examples

1. 写真コンテストに応募してみた。 I tried entering a photo contest.
2. コンテストで優勝して賞金をもらった。 I won the contest and got prize money.
3. 来月の料理コンテストに参加する予定だ。 I'm planning to participate in a cooking contest next month.

Usage Guide

Context: competitions, events, hobbies

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'contest,' which derives from Latin 'contestari' (to call to witness, to contend). Entered Japanese during the postwar period of American cultural influence.

Cultural Context

Era: Postwar

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal