1.
reactive position, being on the defensive, falling behind
A disadvantageous position where one is forced to respond to the other party's actions rather than taking the initiative.
後手に回ってしまった。
We ended up on the defensive.
対応が後手に回ると被害が大きくなる。
If the response falls behind, the damage grows.
政府の対策は常に後手に回っていると批判されている。
The government is criticized for always being behind in its response.
2.
second player, white (in shogi/go)
The player who makes the second move in board games such as shogi or go.
後手で指す。
To play as the second player.
後手でも勝てる戦略を考えた。
I came up with a strategy to win even as the second player.
プロの対局では後手の勝率はやや低い。
In professional matches, the second player's win rate is slightly lower.
KANJI:
後 (after/behind) + 手 (hand/move). Literally "later hand."
USAGE:
The most common pattern is 後手に回る (to fall into a reactive position). This is widely used in news reporting about government responses, business strategy, and competitive situations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 後手に回る: to fall behind, to be reactive
- 後手の対応: a behind-the-curve response
- 後手後手: one step behind after another (emphatic repetition)
Related Words
Antonym:
先手 (initiative)