真剣勝負

Reading

Kana: しんけんしょうぶ

Romaji: shinkenshōbu

Definition

noun

adj-no

1

fighting with real swords; game played in real earnest

Note: yojijukugo

Kanji

真

Readings: シン、 ま、 ま-、 まこと

Meanings: true, reality, Buddhist sect

剣

Readings: ケン、 つるぎ

Meanings: sabre, sword, blade, clock hand

勝

Readings: ショウ、 か.つ、 -が.ち、 まさ.る、 すぐ.れる、 かつ

Meanings: victory, win, prevail, excel

負

Readings: フ、 ま.ける、 ま.かす、 お.う

Meanings: defeat, negative, -, minus, bear, owe, assume a responsibility

Example Sentence

おやおや。いかな体育(たいいく)の授業(じゅぎょう)といえど・・・真剣(しんけん)勝負(しょうぶ)の意気込(いきご)みで臨(のぞ)まなければ、いざ実戦(じっせん)と言(い)う時(とき)に役(やく)に立(た)ちませんよ。

➥Oh my. However much it's just a P.E. class; if you don't face it in real earnest, then when it comes to a real fight it won't do you any good.