Zweikampf

Zweikampf is a German noun meaning "duel" or "one-on-one fight" between two individuals. The word combines zwei ("two") and Kampf ("fight" or "combat"), and has been used since the early modern period. Historically, a Zweikampf referred to an agreed combat between two persons, often governed by codes of honor and conducted with weapons such as swords or pistols. In many jurisdictions such duels were regulated by law or outlawed in the modern era.

In contemporary usage, Zweikampf denotes any one-on-one contest, not necessarily physical. In sports and martial arts, it describes a direct matchup between two athletes, for example in fencing, boxing, judo, or karate. It can also denote a two-person competition within a larger event, or a playing mode where two participants face off. The term is also used metaphorically to describe a rivalry or struggle between two opposing sides, such as in politics, business, or sports.

Related terms include Duell (duel), Wettkampf (competition), and Match.