The Meaning of hikiwake [引き分け] In Japanese

引き分け
ひきわけ
Romaji: hikiwake N4

What does 引き分け mean?

Translation and Meaning

draw, tie, stalemate

Definition

It means a draw or tie in a game or contest, indicating that neither side has won. Used in sports, board games, and competitions to denote an equal result, and commonly phrased as 引き分けになる or 引き分けとなる in written or spoken Japanese.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • In sports and games: an equal final score or outcome.
  • Metaphorically, a deadlock or stalemate in negotiations or discussions.

Composition

  • 引く (ひく, hiku) — to pull or draw
  • 引き (ひき) — the noun-form of 引く
  • 分け (わけ, wake) — division or sharing

Usage

Used in formal and casual contexts, especially in sports commentary and match reports; in everyday talk to describe a tie in a game; common constructions include 引き分けになる, 引き分けだ. サッカーの試合は引き分けになった (Sakkā no shiai wa hikiwake ni natta). この大会の決勝戦は引き分けとなった (Kono taikai no kesshōsen wa hikiwake to natta).
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine two players pulling on a rope with equal strength, none winning—hikiwake means the result stays a draw; link ‘hiki’ (pull) with ‘wake’ (divide) to recall the concept of drawing to an even outcome.

Variations

  • 同点 (どうてん, douten) — tie
  • ドロー (ドロー, doroo) — draw
  • 互角 (ごかく, gokaku) — even match

Example Phrases

  • 友達と テニスの 試合は 引き分け で終わった。
    tomodachi to tenisu no shiai wa hikiwake de owatta.
    The tennis match with friends ended in a draw.
    Lista:
    • 友達と (tomodachi to) – with friends
    • テニスの (tenisu no) – of tennis
    • 試合は (shiai wa) – the match
    • 引き分け (hikiwake) – draw
    • で終わった (de owatta) – ended
    In this sentence, the word 「引き分け」 means a draw in a match.
引き分け