What's the difference between [勝負]{しょうぶ} and [試合]{しあい}


I've seen both refered to as "match". Is there some secondary usage or perhaps
a connotation or nuance that separates the two?




From what I understand, `試合` appears to apply mostly (only?) to sports, but is
also acceptable and considered correct for board games (chess, 将棋【しょうぎ】, 碁【ご】,
etc. - see comments below). `勝負` applies to these situations as well, but also
to "fights"/"fighting" (actual, struggle for power, etc.), and to "the game"
as in winning the game (the victory). The characters for `勝負` literally mean
"win lose", so it can also have that definition.

>   * 真剣勝負をする → Play/Fight for real
>   * 勝負の世界 → The world where power rules
>   * 勝負に出る → Make a decisive move
>   * 勝負はこっちのものだ → The game is mine! (as in "I'm going to win!" or "The
> victory is mine!")
>   * 勝負は時の運だ → Victory or defeat [Whether you win or not] is just luck.
>

Here is an image from the game [サムライ・スピリッツ]{Samurai Shodown} showing the pre-
fight announcement ("Fight!").

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/tIrwW.jpg)

And another picture from the same game when you win the round (`勝負あり` \- "You
win")

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/WFSef.jpg)

They also differ when used as `する` verbs. `試合をする` simply means to
"have/play/hold a game/match". But `勝負をする` can take that meaning as well as
"to fight/challenge".

>   * 正々堂々勝負をしよう → Let's play fair [a fair game].
>   * 実力で勝負する → Dictionary says "match one's skill (against a person)"
>




From what I understand, `試合` appears to apply mostly (only?) to sports, but is
also acceptable and considered correct for board games (chess, 将棋【しょうぎ】, 碁【ご】,
etc. - see comments below). `勝負` applies to these situations as well, but also
to "fights"/"fighting" (actual, struggle for power, etc.), and to "the game"
as in winning the game (the victory). The characters for `勝負` literally mean
"win lose", so it can also have that definition.

>   * 真剣勝負をする → Play/Fight for real
>   * 勝負の世界 → The world where power rules
>   * 勝負に出る → Make a decisive move
>   * 勝負はこっちのものだ → The game is mine! (as in "I'm going to win!" or "The
> victory is mine!")
>   * 勝負は時の運だ → Victory or defeat [Whether you win or not] is just luck.
>

Here is an image from the game [サムライ・スピリッツ]{Samurai Shodown} showing the pre-
fight announcement ("Fight!").

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/tIrwW.jpg)

And another picture from the same game when you win the round (`勝負あり` \- "You
win")

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/WFSef.jpg)

They also differ when used as `する` verbs. `試合をする` simply means to
"have/play/hold a game/match". But `勝負をする` can take that meaning as well as
"to fight/challenge".

>   * 正々堂々勝負をしよう → Let's play fair [a fair game].
>   * 実力で勝負する → Dictionary says "match one's skill (against a person)"
>

