How competitive are you when you play games or sports with friends?

B Natural answer

I'm moderately competitive. When I play with friends, I want the game to feel real, so I get pretty focused and try to play well. I don't cheat or act dramatic, but I do pay attention to the score and the little mistakes I make. I don't like losing badly, especially if I know I could have done better. At the same time, but I can laugh it off when the match is over, because it's still friends and nobody needs to act like it's the World Cup. Usually, I enjoy the challenge most. A close game is better than an easy win, because it gives everyone something to talk about afterward. So I'd say I care, but I keep it friendly.

Key phrases in this answer

• get pretty focused — to concentrate hard on the game or task“When the match starts, I get pretty focused.”
• laugh it off — to respond to disappointment with humor and move on“I was annoyed for a minute, but I can laugh it off.”
• keep it fun — to make the activity enjoyable rather than too serious“When I play with friends, I like to keep it fun.”
• want to win — to have a real desire to finish first or beat others“Even in a casual game, I do want to win.”
• lose badly — to lose by a lot or feel embarrassed by the result“I don't like losing badly, even with friends.”
• get a bit intense — to become very serious, focused, or emotionally involved“Near the end of a match, I get a bit intense.”