先手(せんて)

せんて
noun
initiative, first move
1. initiative, preemptive action, first move
Taking action before the other party, gaining the advantage by acting first.
先手(せんて)を打(う)つ。
To take the initiative.
相手(あいて)より先手(せんて)を取(と)ることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to seize the initiative before your opponent.
ライバル会社(かいしゃ)に先手(せんて)を取(と)られる前(まえ)に新商品(しんしょうひん)を発表(はっぴょう)した。
We announced the new product before our rival company could beat us to it.
2. first player, black (in shogi/go)
The player who makes the first move in board games such as shogi or go.
今回(こんかい)は先手(せんて)でお願(ねが)いします。
I'll go first this time, please.
将棋(しょうぎ)では先手(せんて)がやや有利(ゆうり)とされている。
In shogi, the first player is considered to have a slight advantage.
じゃんけんで勝(か)った方(ほう)が先手(せんて)になる。
The one who wins rock-paper-scissors goes first.

Writing

先(せん) (ahead/first) + 手(て) (hand/move). Literally "first hand."

Usage

The figurative sense (sense 1) is widely used in business, strategy, and everyday life. 先手(せんて)を打(う)つ and 先手(せんて)を取(と)る are the most common set phrases.

Common collocations

  • 先手(せんて)を打(う)つ: to make a preemptive move
  • 先手(せんて)を取(と)る: to seize the initiative
  • 先手(せんて)必勝(ひっしょう): "first move wins" (strategic principle)

Related Words

Antonym: 後手(ごて) (reactive position)
Compare: 手番(てばん) (one's turn (in a game))
general
Added 2026.2.8 13:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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