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Let's say you were comparing/contrasting two concepts e.g. in a title of an essay/article.

Concept A vs. Concept B - Which is Better?

The above is just an example.

Can 対 be used? Also, how would you put 対 in a sentence? I am guessing like this:

ConceptA 対 ConceptB

So, is there a Japanese equivalent of "versus"? Are there different ones depending on the context?

Thank you in advance.

3 Answers 3

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Here in Japan these days, I actually see and hear 「[vs.]{バーサス}」 as often as or even more often than 「[対]{たい}」.

「対」 would tend to suggest a physical fight or conflict, so we tend not to use it in other contexts.

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  • Would バーサス be a bit informal? When/in what kind of situations would you use it? I understand if it's used in a more informal context, but what about a more formal one?
    – Cherry
    Apr 10, 2014 at 0:52
  • To kind of rephrase that question, what would the term be in academic writing to compare two competing ideas?
    – ssb
    Apr 10, 2014 at 6:03
  • I use それに対して in my academic writing or phrases like 他方. When would we use "versus" in English academic writing?
    – virmaior
    Apr 10, 2014 at 9:35
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Yes, it's used very much like Versus. However!

As Tokyo Nagoya pointed out, バーサス is usable sometimes, too. Plus, occasionally クロス (that is, "X", usually a sign of collaboration) will be used like "Versus" depending on the context.

For example, it's "Capcom vs. SNK" in both Japan and the US, but it's "Street Fighter X Tekken" in both territories.

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You answered your own question, pretty much. 対 is used more or less exactly like vs. is in English.

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  • Thank you. I just wasn't sure, and didn't know where to look.
    – Cherry
    Apr 9, 2014 at 23:18

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